The CEO's Wife: Marriage of Convenience

The news that Ji Cheng, CEO of Ji Group, had proposed to Xu Lingchu in a global livestream caused quite a stir. When I returned home, I happened to see the two of them embracing and kissing on the opposite billboard. Everyone envied Xu Lingchu's fortunate life. Only I knew— If Xu Lingchu fell in love with Ji Cheng, this would be the beginning of her nightmare. Because she could never become Mrs. Ji. Her glory would end in this grand proposal performance.

1

I came out of the supermarket, having bought some ordinary daily necessities and some vegetables, planning to cook a meal myself. With nothing better to do, cooking was also a way to pass the time. The moment I looked up, I saw a television projection on the opposite high-rise building— The CEO of Ji Group and a woman embracing and kissing. Even though it was just television, their eyes were intertwined with affection. The man was handsome, the woman beautiful. A perfect match, made in heaven. I knew that girl's name was Xu Lingchu. Of course, many people now knew her name. She seemed favored by God. She had exquisite, beautiful features, a soft, slender waist. A pair of captivating, soul-stealing eyes. I heard that the first time Ji Cheng saw her, his gaze had followed her constantly. So-called love at first sight was just like that.

Afterward, Ji Cheng began using all his skills to pursue her, pursue her, pursue her... He deliberately created all kinds of romance. New jewelry was named after her, new real estate developments were named after her. Even a newly opened amusement park was named after her. Everywhere, he declared that Xu Lingchu was marked with his traces. I stood by the roadside, listening to two girls holding milk tea, looking at the two figures embracing on the opposite building. Their faces were full of envy. "I really envy Miss Xu, for having someone who loves her so much." "Being loved isn't even the point. The point is, how rich CEO Ji is!" "She must have saved the galaxy in her past life, to come enjoy blessings in this life." I lowered my eyes and smiled. If she didn't love Ji Cheng, perhaps she could enjoy happiness. But, in Ji Cheng's deliberately created romance, many girls would fall. Let alone Xu Lingchu, who came from an orphanage? My phone made a "ding" sound. I lowered my head and glanced at my phone— "He Xingwan, I know who you are." Xu Lingchu had added me as a WeChat friend two days ago, through information from Ji Cheng's side. I hesitated for a moment but still accepted her friend request. "A Cheng and I are getting engaged. If you know what's good for you, stay away from him." Xu Lingchu sent me another message. I didn't reply, carrying my vegetables as I walked toward the opposite residential complex. Below our building, I saw a Porsche, brand new. Ji Cheng's car! For Ji Cheng, I had always been quite troubled. He loved romance with pretty girls, flowers and grass—that was his freedom, but why couldn't he let me go every time?

2

Following the elevator upstairs, when I opened the door, Ji Cheng came to meet me. He took the vegetables from my hand while taking slippers for me from the shoe rack. "You're back?" "What are we eating today?" His words were just like those of an old married couple of many years. Without any politeness, very natural. I took the slippers from his hand, sat on the shoe-changing bench to change my shoes, while he had already carried the vegetables toward the kitchen. "Braised pork, or?" He gave me an inquiring look. As he spoke, he had already casually taken the rabbit apron I had hung to one side and started preparing. I thought I needed to have a serious talk with him. After changing my slippers, I leaned against the kitchen doorway. The range hood was buzzing, somewhat noisy. Ji Cheng had already started preparing the meal, familiar with everything. When I came back earlier, I had noticed the rice cooker already had rice cooking. The fragrance of southern japonica rice filled the entire house in the evening. Cooking smoke lingered, imbued with the warmth of mortal life. "Let's make braised pork." I said, "Why do you have time to come over today?" "Nothing much at the company." Ji Cheng smiled and said, "Your pink diamond necklace has been set. I brought it over for you." "Ji Cheng, I think—we need to have a serious talk." I chose my words carefully before speaking. "Okay!" He was like an innocent little boy, tilting his head to look at me, smiling. This man truly had a particularly handsome face. Like Xu Lingchu, they were both favorites of God. "Xu Lingchu." I said, "Global livestream proposal, the city specially bought a light show for her, and on her birthday, you set off fireworks all over the city for her." "At the beginning of the year, she had a car accident and needed a blood transfusion." "You also made a big fuss about it." "In fact, even with a special blood type, with your abilities, you could have easily obtained it. Why make it known to everyone?" "You just wanted to tell everyone you love her!"

Ji Cheng slowly cut the meat while smiling: "That's right!" "When pursuing someone, whatever I do, I exaggerate from one point to ten." "Otherwise, how would she know my intentions?" "Young girls all like these impractical things." The meat had already been put in the pot to blanch. The rising flames were cyan, naturally not as beautiful as fireworks. I sighed and asked: "So do you plan to marry her?" Ji Cheng turned to look at me and smiled: "Xingwan, how could I possibly marry her?" "It's just playing around. In this long life, one needs to play a few games of romance and snow." "While still young, while still in one's prime." This answer, I knew all along, but I still planned to persuade him. "Ji Cheng, you can marry her. I can do ideological work with my father and brother. We—get a divorce." "Although dividing the assets between our two families will be somewhat difficult, but..." Before I could finish my words, Ji Cheng waved at me, smiling brightly: "Xingwan, have you fallen for some young boy?" "Who?" "An entertainment industry newcomer, or an ordinary male college student?" "Should I help you take a look?" The words at my throat got stuck.

3

Ji Cheng glanced at me and smiled: "If not, then drop this topic." "In one's life, if one must find a legally married partner, then I hope it will always be you." I sighed, I couldn't persuade him, really couldn't. "You're just toying with Miss Xu's feelings." I said irritably. "When have I ever toyed with anyone's feelings?" Ji Cheng said, "She came from a poor background. I gave her wealth and well-being, and everything she wanted." "I also created the love she wanted." "In this relationship, I also gave." "Every time, very seriously." "As for other things, if she understands, she should know." I understood, but others might not. I didn't grow up domestically. Since childhood, watching my father surrounded by many beauties, both women and men. Naturally, I was accustomed to all of it. I didn't like this messy kind of relationship, and I had once envied what was written in books—one life, one pair, growing old together. But I knew this was impossible. My brother once said something very rustic. If a man doesn't cheat, he's either ugly or poor. In prominent wealthy families like theirs, how could they have only one person by their side for a lifetime?

I met Ji Cheng when I was seventeen. When I was eighteen, my family arranged my marriage alliance with him, signing a marriage agreement. I didn't raise any objections. After all, in a marriage alliance—being able to choose such a handsome man was also a blessing. Later, I came to study domestically. I continued to live a semi-reclusive life, monotonous and low-key. I didn't like participating in various activities, the coming and going, life feeling like a performance. I also didn't like showing my face at charity events, speaking insincere words. I holed up in my snail shell, my usual hobbies being watching dramas, reading books, painting. Ji Cheng would come to see me. Often cooking and eating together. Occasionally, he would also stay at my place. He slept in the guest room, I slept in the master bedroom. Years were quiet and calm, without waves. But today, this meal, we couldn't as usual eat while watching dramas, discussing current affairs news. The food had just been placed on the table. Someone knocked on the door, pounding loudly. I thought it was property management, but when I opened the door, I found Xu Lingchu standing at the door with a cold face. This woman, envied by everyone, said to have gained both money and love, now seemed somewhat disheveled. Seeing me, she raised her hand and slapped me across the face. I grabbed her hand. I had learned Sanda and taekwondo. When it came to fighting, a weak woman like her was nothing in my eyes. "Looking for Ji Cheng?" I asked. In an instant, her eyes reddened. Her voice trembled as she pointed at me and cursed: "He Xingwan, have you no shame? Seducing someone else's boyfriend?" I could see she was very angry, even stuttering as she spoke. I took spare slippers from the shoe cabinet and handed them to her, inviting her in. "Come in and eat together. Ji Cheng's braised pork is quite good." I smiled. But Ji Cheng took the slippers from my hand and threw them into the shoe cabinet. Almost in an instant, he changed his expression, becoming ice-cold. "What are you doing here?" Ji Cheng questioned Xu Lingchu. "Go back. Don't make me say it twice."

4

Xu Lingchu's beautiful eyes were filled with tears. She was truly extremely beautiful. Even I felt somewhat uncomfortable looking at her. So I said to Ji Cheng: "You take Miss Xu back. Explain to her properly." Thinking about it, I was afraid Xu Lingchu would misunderstand, so I smiled: "Miss Xu, I'm not Mr. Ji's lover." That's right, I was just his nominal wife. He wouldn't, and couldn't, love me. His love was completely given to Xu Lingchu, or perhaps scattered to others. Probably from beginning to end, I hadn't invested a single emotion, so when facing Ji Cheng and Xu Lingchu, I could watch them calmly. Like watching a drama. The plot made me concerned, with many twists and turns. But I was ultimately an outsider. Ji Cheng's expression wasn't very good. He probably hadn't expected that the treasure he held in his palm, that seemingly silly girl, would suddenly run over to catch him cheating. I was really heartless. Completely forgetting that I was actually the one being caught, I should have been embarrassed, ashamed, humiliated. Xu Lingchu naturally wasn't willing to leave so easily. Ji Cheng had pursued her for a year and a half. In her mind, Ji Cheng loved her more than all the colorful things in the world. She was the only one in his heart, an irreplaceable existence. Now, she discovered that the apple of his eye was like a durian with thorns, covered in his concern. While she, he had thrown into some corner, he would even speak harshly to her for another woman. "A Cheng, tell me, what exactly is she to you?" Xu Lingchu pointed at me, angrily accusing. "You think I don't know?" "She's just a little canary you keep." "You... you clearly said you only loved me."

This question was somewhat awkward, so I took a few steps back, making way for Ji Cheng to speak with her. Ji Cheng pulled her over, dragging her to the stairwell. I directly closed the door. After all, I hadn't paid for VIP, so what I shouldn't see, shouldn't hear, I shouldn't watch or listen to. I thought Ji Cheng would leave with Xu Lingchu. After all, everyone said Ji Cheng loved Xu Lingchu, loved her madly, loved her devotedly, loved her to the bone. But, probably half an hour later, Ji Cheng returned. Seeing me holding my rice bowl in one hand, watching television while chuckling foolishly. He irritably said: "Xingwan, can't you be more careful?" I was confused, be careful of what? He poured himself a glass of red wine, raising it to me. I shook my head. The red wine was one my brother had specially brought for me from a French vineyard last time. I just thought the bottle was quite nice-looking, placed it on the wine rack for some class. If he drank it, I'd have to have my brother bring me another bottle. "When someone knocks on the door, can't you ask who it is? What if it's a bad person?" Ji Cheng began to criticize me. "Xingwan, listen to me, don't live here anymore." "Your building's security is virtually nonexistent." "I've already tidied up Green Pear Courtyard for you. Move over there in a few days?" I refused. Green Pear Courtyard was a resort, with all wealthy people coming and going. The courtyard was especially beautifully maintained. But everywhere showed traces of artificial carving, feeling too deliberate, losing its original beauty. Never mind that. Probably because it was too wealthy, between people, everyone wore a mask, without a trace of mortal life. Unlike this residential complex. All of life's facets, laughter, anger, joy, sorrow, family matters, condensed into a social microcosm. Even though I couldn't integrate into others' lives, I felt that I was alive, that I was like a person. "Today, even if I had asked, and learned it was Miss Xu, would I still not have opened the door?" I said with a smile. This time, Ji Cheng didn't speak. He served rice,一边eating一边putting a piece of meat in my bowl. "Xingwan, you're too thin. Eat some meat." He said to me. I felt again that he and I were like an old married couple who had lived a lifetime. Without politeness, only plain mediocrity. He didn't seem like the CEO in charge of Ji Group, and I—was still me.

His phone rang. He lowered his eyes, looking at his phone. From my angle, I could just see him swallow, his beautiful Adam's apple rolling, with a hint of sensuality. I was curious, leaned over, peeked at his phone. A beautiful girl entered my eyes. Dressed in a maid outfit, wearing rabbit ears on her head, black silk, sexy long legs. Could play with for a year!

5

I leaned close to him, whispering: "New favorite?" He glanced at me, nodding slightly: "Isn't she sexy?" "Does she—know?" I asked. The "she" I referred to was naturally Xu Lingchu. I didn't know what Ji Cheng's mentality toward Xu Lingchu was, but he must care very much, love her very much. "Let her know and she wouldn't turn the sky upside down?" Ji Cheng laughed. "Are you like you, heartless?" I smiled, I just didn't love him. "Go on." I said. "Mm!" Ji Cheng reached out to put on his clothes, suddenly pressed me down, and without warning, he kissed me. I felt my head lacking oxygen. My heart pounded wildly. He was experienced, his kissing skills first-class, lips and teeth entangled, tongues touching. Like short weapons meeting. Ji Cheng released his hand supporting the back of my head and smiled: "Girls all like my kisses, Xingwan, you should be a bit jealous." Almost the moment he released me, I had already come to my senses, calm as before. "Okay. You come tomorrow and make me sweet and sour pork?" "Put in a bit more vinegar." Ji Cheng laughed loudly, pushed the door open and walked out. I touched the corner of my mouth and walked to the bathroom, rinsed my mouth, brushed my teeth, twice, before I let myself go. Leaning against the bathroom doorway, I seriously recalled that kiss just now. Ji Cheng had actually kissed me before. When I came to study domestically, when we officially signed the marriage agreement, he had once held my hand, once kissed me. At that time, I was like a wooden person. Letting him tease me in every way. He had once asked me: "Xingwan, don't you have any feelings for me at all?" "None." I smiled and shook my head. My eyes were clear and foolish, without joy or sorrow. I didn't know what was wrong with him today. One moment proclaiming his love for Xu Lingchu to the world, the next moment desiring the bunny girl's body, while also teasing me. I sat down and continued eating. I thought this matter would end here. Ji Cheng could handle Xu Lingchu well, and his romantic affairs, love and wind, with the beautiful bunny girl. Having nothing to do with me, this tool person. I could peacefully eat my melon (watch the drama unfold). But three days later, I was cyberbullied. Ji Cheng and Xu Lingchu's proposal was a global livestream, causing quite a stir, plus the city's light show and fireworks, grand and luxurious. Now, the popularity was still rising. Xu Lingchu cried to the media that Ji Cheng was keeping a mistress behind her back. My residential address, my photos, my domestic identity, were all nakedly exposed to the public eye. When I went out grocery shopping, people started pointing at me. My desolate Weibo account was flooded by countless people, with all kinds of insults. Some despicable men even asked me, how much for one night? Saying they wanted to try what Ji Cheng's woman tasted like? Others used my looks against me, saying Ji Cheng had poor taste, how could he be interested in such an old and ugly woman?

This afternoon, I went out to the supermarket to buy things. On the way home, a yellow-haired punk riding a motorcycle crashed toward me from behind. Extremely fast, extremely despicable. From his angle of collision, even if I didn't die, I would be seriously injured. Moreover, it would injure my private parts, seeking medical treatment would be embarrassing. If I hadn't learned some Sanda and ancient martial arts, my movements much faster than ordinary people, I would have been doomed. After I dodged, the yellow-haired punk turned his motorcycle around and crashed toward me again. A flash of killing intent appeared in my eyes. At this moment, I was truly angry. So, while dodging, I used some skill, pushing toward the motorcycle. Just like that, the motorcycle with its roaring engine went straight into the middle of the road. The yellow-haired punk slid and fell, wailing like a ghost. On the road, chaos instantly broke out.

6

I turned and left, without lingering. For many people, this might be a big deal. But for me, such things, I had seen many when I was abroad. Riding a motorcycle wanted my life? Underestimating people too much! When I returned home, I called Ji Cheng. "I'm sorry, Xingwan, I'll handle it." "How long will it take?" I asked. "Three days at most." Ji Cheng said crisply. "Okay, if you can't handle it in three days, I'll handle it myself." I said. In this marriage alliance, I had always been in a weak position, maintaining my clarity and foolishness, like a puppet at others' mercy. Even Ji Cheng had once laughed at me. He said: "Xingwan, can't you fight for yourself a bit?" For his question, I seriously thought about it. Fight? I didn't understand economics, didn't have that kind of brain, the money my father and brother gave me needed someone to manage it. Ji Cheng was the ideal son-in-law my father had carefully chosen. The family's industries were too large, when one prospered, all prospered, when injured... it would still be damaging. No one's money was blown in by the wind. Handling such matters was nothing more than suppressing trending topics, public relations. I believed Ji Cheng could handle it well. He just needed to coax Xu Lingchu well, then announce to the public that I was his distant relative, he was just looking after me, and it would be muddled through. As for my father and brother, explanations could come later. After all, solving the immediate crisis was the priority. But he didn't— He held a press conference, announcing that everything with Xu Lingchu had just been product promotion for companies under Ji Group. He even announced publicly that he had never loved Xu Lingchu. One stone stirred up a thousand waves. All the love myths turned to bubbles at this moment. Of course, in this situation, Ji Cheng didn't announce my identity. And now no one cared. I was just the backdrop to Ji Cheng and Xu Lingchu's love after all. After all, they had previously caused such a stir, global livestream, but now it was said to be just product promotion, unrelated to love. Not involving romance. Next came cold treatment, but at this time, some celebrity gossip made it to trending topics. Instantly suppressing Ji Cheng and Xu Lingchu's love affair. Everyone could not care, but Xu Lingchu broke down, crying and making a scene, threatening suicide.

7

I saw Xu Lingchu again a week later. It was still her who came looking for me. This girl who was once pampered by thousands, envied by everyone as God's favorite, now had a pale face, a haggard expression. Soul-lost and spirit-crushed. Seeing her standing disheveled at my door, I took out shoe covers and handed them to her, inviting her in. It was very cold outside. She wore only an ordinary, somewhat old sweater, curled up on the sofa, shivering. I poured her a glass of hot water. She hugged the teacup for a long time before looking up at me: "Why?" I thought for a moment, then said: "What kind of outcome do you hope for?" "Ji Cheng recklessly killing me for your sake, or killing his other women outside?" My sentence directly made Xu Lingchu break down. She stood up, shouting at me: "Yes, kill you, kill those ill-intentioned women who climbed into his bed, trying to control his money." "You—you're all gold-diggers." "You don't love him, you just love his money?" "Why doesn't he understand, he clearly said he loved me, he wanted to have all of me." "He was so gentle, considerate, so good, how could you treat him like this?" She seemed somewhat incoherent. I waited for her to vent for a long time before saying: "Miss Xu, the orphanage needs his sponsorship, and your friends also need his sponsorship." "You've already gotten what you wanted." "Why pursue something so illusory?" "There's no such thing as love in this world. Men and women, when they reach that age, wanting to reproduce the next generation, it's just a lie to cover up their romantic affairs." "Live your life well, don't make trouble." I thought, as long as Xu Lingchu didn't invest so much emotion in this romantic game, she could still harvest her happiness. A lifetime of wealth and well-being, what's wrong with that? Xu Lingchu slumped onto the sofa, and after a long time, said: "He withdrew his sponsorship from the orphanage." "He also cut off A Biao's leg, making him disabled." A Biao was the yellow-haired punk who drove a motorcycle, using despicable means to try to hit me. Also grew up in the orphanage. These past few days, I had someone inquire. Xu Lingchu was beautiful and quite capable. The little boys in the orphanage were usually unruly and disobedient. But they all listened to her. They treated her like their big sister, loyal to the point of doing anything. That day, A Biao fell to the ground, just with a fractured lower leg bone. With a cast, he would recover after some time. But since he had done such a despicable thing, he needed to pay some price. I only wanted one of his legs, not his life. "He's still just a child, now disabled like this." Xu Lingchu looked at me, her eyes burning. "He Xingwan, aren't you afraid of retribution?" I smiled, retribution? What was that? If there really was karma in this world, on what basis did my father and brother enjoy wealth and honor? I opened my phone, showing a photo to Xu Lingchu. "Miss Xu, whether by order of arrival or legal rules, you are actually the third party." "As far as I know, for the orphanage's sponsorship, you were the one who took the initiative with Ji Cheng, seducing him with your beauty." "As for the A Biao you mentioned, under your instructions, he drove a motorcycle to hit me—" "Now he's disabled, that's retribution." Seeing the photo I showed her, Xu Lingchu's pupils seemed to experience an earthquake. After a long while, she tremblingly said: "You're actually married?"

8

"He Xingwan, on what basis did you marry him?" Xu Lingchu roared at me. "Are you worthy?" I could see that now, Xu Lingchu was both angry and anxious, like a cat with fur standing on end. Even, probably because she was too angry, her originally beautiful face was somewhat distorted, looking even somewhat ferocious. Somewhat terrifying! I was also a bit angry. Ji Cheng and I, on what basis was I the "unworthy" one? Not loving him was my business, but I wouldn't allow others to point fingers. This woman had people try to run me over with a car, cyberbullied me. Afterward, she still wanted to seek comfort from me, seek protection, even want me to empathize with her "love." Who did she think she was? Or rather, did she really think she had saved the galaxy in her past life, that she was the protagonist in this life? Did the whole world need to revolve around her? Ji Cheng was willing to coax her, that was his business, what did it have to do with me? "Miss Xu, marriage requires matching social status, and you are the unworthy one!" "Besides your face, what else do you have?" "Education? Knowledge, or a skill to rely on?" "You have nothing!" "Everything you have is built on Ji Cheng's love for you." "If he doesn't love you, you'll be worthless." Xu Lingchu stood up, pointing at me and saying: "He betrayed our love, I will make you both regret." "I will make him regret it for the rest of his life." "Even if he has everything, he will never have me." "He Xingwan, you should know, what can't be obtained—is the best!" She laughed wildly, crazily, somewhat delusional. She opened my door and ran into the wind and snow... I wanted to persuade her, but finally held back. Sometimes, good words can't persuade a ghost intent on death. For this reason, I had people keep an eye on Xu Lingchu. I thought she would find Ji Cheng to make trouble, demand money, demand shares, demand the company. After all, normal women understand that when a man can't be relied upon, money is the most secure thing in the world. But she didn't! She began planning a fake death game!

9

Xu Lingchu prepared to use her "death" to make Ji Cheng regret. She said, for a man like Ji Cheng, everything was easily obtainable. She was too stupid, too naive, easily letting Ji Cheng woo her. So he didn't cherish her. But it wasn't too late. Now she would make him regret, make him—chase his wife to the crematorium. I seriously thought, if she really died, would Ji Cheng regret it? Fearing she would really do something stupid, when Ji Cheng came over to make me sweet and sour pork, I stood by watching. "Xingwan, eat more vinegar tonight." Ji Cheng seemed to be in a good mood, saying cheerfully. "Have you placated your love affairs?" I asked, "Have time to come over and cook for me?" Ji Cheng sneered. "Xingwan, you don't understand." He said, "In my heart, you are my wife." "No matter what, we need to be bound for life." "Even if I die in the future, to the outside world, I am still your husband, the esteemed son-in-law of the He Group." "In the future, our tombstones will have each other's names." "Outside, I need to maintain, preserve your dignity." I smiled, he spoke as if it were true. When he proposed to Xu Lingchu, it was a global livestream, city full of fireworks. Why didn't he say—I was his wife? The whole world knew he loved Xu Lingchu. Just that he had played too much and was now saying some high-sounding words. Or perhaps, this time, my domestic brother was very angry, giving him great pressure. Probably because I didn't speak, he continued: "As for Chuchu, she's like a little cat or dog, I like playing with her." "Pets, after all, need to be spoiled a bit, otherwise, how can they be pets?" I sighed softly, thought for a moment, and still advised: "Ji Cheng, that is a person, with human emotions, thoughts and feelings, and—like you, she has the rights of an ordinary person in this world." "She is not a pet." "You treating her this way is very unfair." Ji Cheng shook his head, changing the subject to ask me about other things. "If she died, would you be sad?" I asked the core question. The chase-your-wife-to-the-crematorium plot needed two prerequisites. First, the woman leaving would cause the man great economic loss. To recover the loss, he had to chase. Second, the man truly loved her, couldn't live without the woman, so he had to chase. Xu Lingchu's departure wouldn't cause Ji Cheng economic loss. So, it could only depend on how much Ji Cheng loved her. I thought, Ji Cheng did have some love.

10

For my question, Ji Cheng fell silent. He turned the gas stove to low heat, the sweet and sour pork slowly reducing its sauce. Wiping his hands with his apron, he asked: "Xingwan, how long has it been since your father came to Huaxia?" I remained silent, not speaking. Ji Cheng smiled and said: "I always thought that my father-in-law was born abroad, grew up abroad, so he had no business or industry in Huaxia." "Only recently did I learn that he—was also once a son of Huaxia." "For love, he was forced to leave his homeland, wandering and displaced." "Does he still remember his original name?" "Or should I say, even though he is wealthy beyond measure, does he have a sense of belonging?" I gripped my chest tightly, a dull pain slowly spreading in my chest. Whether it was me or my brother, we actually knew father's pain. When I was little, I once asked him why his estate was called Summer Garden, why he lived in the south country. Even when the south country was turbulent and at war? He said: "Here is very close to Huaxia. Looking north, I can see home." But for so many years, he had never returned "home." The domestic brother had wanted to see him several times, but he refused. "Xingwan, love is too bitter." Ji Cheng sighed and said, "I do have some liking for her." "But it's just admiring her beauty, pleased by her beauty." Only at this time did I come back to my senses and ask: "You investigated my father?" My father's past was the hurdle in his heart, no one dared to mention. "This time, Xu Lingchu caused quite a stir, it's been trending." Ji Cheng said. "Your brother is angry." "But I never knew that that distinguished person was actually your elder brother?" "So I was curious, investigated my father-in-law's life, only to discover that for love, he had also been mad and obsessed." Deep love does not lead to longevity, extreme strength leads to humiliation! I no longer asked about Ji Cheng's feelings, just quietly ate my meal. But Ji Cheng was curious, asking me: "Xingwan, is it because your father was betrayed in his youth that you sealed your heart from love?" "You really have no feelings for me at all?" I gnawed on the sweet and sour pork, feeling Ji Cheng must have done it on purpose, putting in too much vinegar. So sour it was uncomfortable. He was in love with Xu Lingchu, he had the beautiful bunny girl. Why provoke me? "Love can't be eaten as food. You experience your romance, I like quiet, peaceful life." I said. Hearing this, Ji Cheng smiled and opened another bottle of red wine for me. My heart ached.

11

Xu Lingchu always believed she was God's favorite. After all, she had extremely beautiful features. From childhood to adulthood, everyone around her praised her for being beautiful. Unfortunately, she was an orphan. It was said her parents died in a car accident. Of course, when she was in the orphanage, she had had countless opportunities to be adopted, after all, she had outstanding beauty. But in the end, through various bumps, until she was eighteen, no one had adopted her. After eighteen, she was admitted to a not-so-good university and began working her way through school. She still often went to the orphanage. Because elsewhere, people always carried a trace of discrimination toward an orphan. Only there, everyone loved her, respected her, valued her. Some little boys in the orphanage even treated her as their big sister. In university, she had also been in two relationships, both ending without result. After graduating, she found a job at a coffee shop. Of course, choosing that coffee shop was also something she had carefully selected. Because it was very close to Ji Group. Ji Group's executive CEO Ji Cheng often went there to buy coffee, occasionally buying chocolate. Through her deliberate arrangement, she finally had a "chance encounter" with Ji Cheng. That day, Ji Cheng, as usual, walked into the coffee shop, ordered a coffee. The coffee shop wasn't particularly bright. Under the dim yellow lights, Xu Lingchu lowered her head to prepare coffee, her face white as jade, exquisite and charming eyes, beautiful to the extreme. The rich coffee aroma settled into a beautiful style in the twilight. When Xu Lingchu brought the coffee over, Ji Cheng's fingers accidentally touched hers. Short weapons meeting. Then an awkward separation. The coffee cup fell to the ground, not breaking, but rolling far away. Leaving only a brown stain on the ground, sticky, contaminated with dust. Xu Lingchu stuttered an apology, fumbling to wipe the stain from his expensive suit. Just like that, she successfully got Ji Cheng's business card and added his WeChat. Afterward, Ji Cheng came to the coffee shop almost every day, ordered a coffee, slowly drank it, slowly watched her bustling about in the coffee shop. This state continued for about three months. Ji Cheng brought a bouquet of roses and gave them to her, beginning his confession. At that moment, Xu Lingchu was overjoyed. No one knew how much she had suffered during these three months. Every conversation with Ji Cheng, she would lie in bed at night, repeatedly reviewing. Repeatedly deliberating whether her wording had problems. Whether her clothing matching had problems. Whether Ji Cheng was interested in her. And she would try to explore his preferences from Ji Cheng's words. Hard work and effort finally had rewards. After more than a year of painstaking effort, hardship, and emotional management. Ji Cheng proposed to her. Grand and magnificent! Global livestream, city full of fireworks. Declaring this man's love for her. His group's new jewelry was named after her, announced to the world. She had finally succeeded. She would be his wife, not those shameful things crawling in the dark corners underground. For example—He Xingwan! This woman, Xu Lingchu extremely hated. Because even when Ji Cheng loved her to the extreme, her chat dialog box on his phone was always pinned to the top. She didn't dare ask Ji Cheng about it. But she wanted that woman hiding underground to know, she knew of her existence. She was about to marry Ji Cheng, she would absolutely not let another woman be a shameless gold-digger. Digging for Ji Cheng's money. Right, from now on, everything of Ji Cheng's would belong to her. She had operated for so long, planned for so long. Ji Cheng's person, Ji Cheng's money, Ji Cheng's love, must completely belong to her. He Xingwan had better know what was good for her and stop纠缠 Ji Cheng. Otherwise, she had a hundred ways to make this woman regret it. But, just when Xu Lingchu thought Ji Cheng loved her madly, crazily, devotedly, to the point where he couldn't live without her. He actually went to He Xingwan's place. Didn't return all night! She personally went to see, she knocked on He Xingwan's door. A man and a woman in the same room, doing nothing, who would believe it?

12

Of course, Xu Lingchu didn't know that night, Ji Cheng hadn't stayed at He Xingwan's place. But had gone to see the long-legged bunny girl. But no matter what, it was unacceptable to Xu Lingchu. She had painstakingly cultivated her love, how could it be trampled like this? She found Ji Cheng to argue. Ji Cheng was also very angry. He wasn't a fool. From the first time he saw Xu Lingchu, he admitted, she was very beautiful. Exquisite features, clean eyes, like a beautiful Persian cat. Gentle, lovely, with three points of pride. From the chance encounter at the coffee shop, to him often going to the coffee shop to see her. To her gradually making contact with him, step by step beginning to indulge. Ji Cheng knew, from the beginning, that this girl was actually not as weak and simple as she appeared on the outside. She had purpose. But what did it matter? In matters of romance, one only cared about the process. She wanted to play. He also enjoyed it. She wanted him to pursue her, creating the romance young girls wanted, so he satisfied her. One part feeling, one part intention, the Dongcheng small wontons he casually bought, he could boast to the heavens. He told her, he had stood in the cold wind, queued for two hours to buy them. She was moved, tears streaming. Her car accident needed a blood transfusion, he found connections to get it, just a matter of spending some money, a simple sentence. But he deliberately made it known throughout the city. Everyone said he loved Xu Lingchu to death. He very seriously played this game, investing feelings, investing money, time. But when he went to find He Xingwan to cook, Xu Lingchu was like a shrew catching him cheating, knocking on He Xingwan's door. Questioning him. Aggressive. At that moment, Ji Cheng was very angry. He dragged her outside, asking her: "Xu Lingchu, what are you to me?" "Did I allow you to come here?" "Get lost." In Ji Cheng's mind, Xu Lingchu was just a spoiled Persian cat he had petted, occasionally throwing a tantrum. It was fine, tomorrow he would coax her and it would be better. But He Xingwan was different, they were bound together, one life one pair, involving the reputation of Ji Group enterprises, involving money and power. He would absolutely not let anyone destroy it. He comforted He Xingwan. That night, he试探性地 showed He Xingwan the bunny girl's photo. He thought, as a normal woman, she should be jealous. Whether jealous of Xu Lingchu or the bunny girl. But, He Xingwan actually said: "She's beautiful, her legs can be played with for a year." Ji Cheng couldn't handle it. Supporting her head, he passionately kissed down. He thought, with his superb kissing skills honed through years in romantic fields, he didn't believe he couldn't win over the emotionally inexperienced He Xingwan. He waited for her reaction. But in the end, she was stunned, like a wooden person. He mocked her, telling her to be a bit jealous. She just smiled, even wanting to be his emotional consultant. Ji Cheng felt, in this aspect, he and Xu Lingchu were both failures. Of course, Xu Lingchu was different from him. Xu Lingchu felt, her happiness, her love, was within reach. Even, she had already grasped it. She lived in Ji's luxurious mansion, wearing gold and silver, with exclusive assistants and nannies serving her. Envied by everyone. But she couldn't tolerate He Xingwan's existence. She wanted to teach her a lesson.

13

Xu Lingchu returned to the orphanage, found those few bastard children. So, A Biao volunteered to drive the motorcycle. Xu Lingchu had specially instructed not to kill her. If someone died, A Biao would be finished. And, how could a living person compete with a dead person for favor? She instructed A Biao to hit her private parts, she wanted to smash her private parts, making it impossible for her to enjoy relations with men for a lifetime. Who let her seduce Ji Cheng like a vixen. Right, it must have been her who seduced Ji Cheng, otherwise, why would Ji Cheng cheat? But, A Biao failed, not only didn't injure He Xingwan, but injured his own leg instead. The point was, this incident angered Ji Cheng. Ji Cheng directly ordered the hospital to amputate A Biao's leg, making him disabled for life. Xu Lingchu cried and made a scene. If it were before, Ji Cheng would have certainly sweetly coaxed her. Even, before, she didn't need to cry, just lower her head, make a tearful appearance, and he would be heartbroken to pieces. Hold her in his arms, carefully coaxing her. She once threw a tantrum, refusing to eat. Ji Cheng feared the nanny wasn't attentive and actually fed her himself. So good, so gentle Ji Cheng, now ignored her. It must have been that bitch He Xingwan who whispered in his ear. No, she wanted to marry Ji Cheng, she absolutely wouldn't allow others around him. So, she planned a cyberbullying campaign, she wanted to ruin He Xingwan's reputation. Xu Lingchu bought internet trolls, found reporters. Sure enough, recently, Ji Cheng's proposal to her, global livestream, had great popularity. Within a few days, Ji Cheng cheating, keeping a mistress outside, instantly, the news made it to trending topics. Ji Group's stock dropped three points. She felt a bit heartbroken, that drop was all Ji Cheng's money, in the future, it would all be hers, and her child's. But, the effect was also significant, everyone was cursing He Xingwan. Xu Lingchu had planned, she prepared in a few days, to hire people, to find trouble with He Xingwan. Best, instruct people to sell her to the mountains. So shameless, let her give birth to children for old men in the mountains until she died. Xu Lingchu thought viciously. That evening, Ji Cheng returned, she immediately lowered her head, tearful, wronged. "Ji Cheng, I'm sorry, when reporters asked me, I couldn't help it, told the truth." She pitifully wanted to hug Ji Cheng. She longed for Ji Cheng to embrace and kiss her as before. Tell her: "It's okay!" But, Ji Cheng just coldly looked at her. Xu Lingchu panicked a bit, tears immediately streaming down. "I'm sorry, I really didn't know, the stock would drop." Men might not care about women, but they couldn't not care about company stocks. "Ji Cheng, I just love you too much, I really can't stand you having other women." "Wuwuwu!" Xu Lingchu cried, her voice carrying unconcealable grievance. "The stock dropping doesn't matter." Ji Cheng's voice came from above, coldly. "But, you cannot touch her." "Xu Lingchu, don't let there be a next time, otherwise—" He lifted her chin, forcefully pinching. That night, he locked her in the villa's basement. No lights, no air conditioning. Only hard cement floor. Xu Lingchu hugged her knees, frozen face purple, even, when the nanny opened the door the next day, she felt, she was going to die. Just like that, Ji Cheng punished her, but that wasn't all. He also withdrew the investment from the orphanage. He announced to the outside world, that between them, it was just a cooperative relationship. The so-called "livestream proposal" was just for new product promotion. This period of time, Xu Lingchu was disheveled, wandering. Although everyone at the orphanage comforted her. But she felt, she was like a loser, as if everything had returned to before. In childhood, she was also popular and loved at the orphanage. But whenever wealthy families came to adopt, she tried her best, but opportunities always slipped past her. No matter how hard she tried, it was futile, time and again, watching happiness very close to her, watching kinship within reach. But what waited for her was drawing water with a bamboo basket. Teachers all said, effort brings reward. Why did her efforts, in the end, turn to wasted, futile? Although she still lived in Ji Cheng's luxurious villa, whenever midnight dreams returned, she would curl up on a simple wooden bed, mottled peeling walls, everywhere ventilated shed rental. She wanted wealth, wanted to be loved. She longed to be a princess. Ji Cheng recently always carried a suspicious fragrance of cosmetics, occasionally, with bruises and red marks on his neck. Xu Lingchu found people to follow, learning that besides He Xingwan, he actually had others. That woman, wild and uninhibited, sexy and charming, using various methods to tease Ji Cheng. Xu Lingchu angrily smashed a vase in the villa. Ji Cheng was hers. How dare that bunny girl seduce him? She roared like a madman, in the villa, all the nannies hid in corners, letting her voice drift in the empty rooms. No one paid her any mind. Why? Was she so undeserving of sympathy, undeserving of empathy? That person—did He Xingwan know? No, she had to tell her. Couldn't let her bear all the suffering alone. She ran wildly in the wind and snow, she thought, the female protagonists in television dramas were all like this. Ji Cheng would see it and would regret. He would definitely love her well, never again fool around outside, misbehaving. But, when she came out from He Xingwan's side, Xu Lingchu discovered, her whole world had darkened. The wind and snow continued. At the roadside bus stop, not a single car. Slumping on the bus stop bench, tears flowed like a faucet that couldn't be turned off, continuously overflowing from her eyes. He and she, were actually legally married? They were married. Ji Cheng, Ji Group's executive CEO was not single, not... He Xingwan was right, she was the one who intervened in their marriage, like a thief stealing love. She stole messily. Stolen, and she was ready to run to the original owner with her stolen goods to show off. Then what had she been busy with? No, this time, she must succeed, she would make Ji Cheng regret. Married? So what? Ji Cheng certainly didn't love her. The one he loved could only be her Xu Lingchu. In this situation, if she sweetly coaxed Ji Cheng, it was just letting a man take advantage for free. From childhood to adulthood, she was the one who took advantage of others with her beauty. How could she let others take advantage of her? Right, she must make Ji Cheng and He Xingwan divorce, she also wanted to kill that bunny girl. Weighing both, she hated the bunny girl even more. This woman, actually took advantage when she and Ji Cheng were arguing, taking advantage of the situation. This woman was just a gold-digger.

14

Xu Lingchu seemed to forget that when she targeted Ji Cheng, it was because he had money. Just like when she was in the orphanage, it wasn't that no families wanted to adopt her. She was beautiful, well-behaved, sensible. So, everyone at the orphanage liked her. Every time someone came to adopt, she would find out what she wanted to know in advance. If the other party was wealthy, she would use all her skills, showing her most beautiful, most well-behaved side. If the other party was just an ordinary family, she scoffed. Even, she felt, ordinary families were not worthy of adopting her. In her heart, she mocked, unable to earn money and not smart enough, deserved to die without descendants, couldn't give birth, still wanted children to care for them in old age, carry on their family line? Where in the world was there such a good thing? As for why she had such a clear and decisive mind at such a young age. It was because—she was a person born with knowledge. And for this reason, when she was little, she learned everything quickly, simple words, arithmetic, she knew innately. Her intelligence had lasted until about junior high school. By high school, her grades began to slowly fall, those difficult mathematics, physics, chemistry, she couldn't learn. Liberal arts? Language arts, she only skimmed the surface, English too, she couldn't endure memorizing English words. But, for the future of better hooking up with rich men, she continued to work hard. Just like that, Xu Lingchu tested into a not-so-good university, working her way through school,勉强getting by. Everyone knew, university, was the paradise of love. Xu Lingchu swore, this time, she must firmly grasp her future happiness in advance. Birth she couldn't choose, but marriage she had the right to choose. She was born with knowledge, she was extremely beautiful, she was born to be above others. But pitiful and ridiculous, ah, people, having read to university, who wasn't a fool? She was once surrounded by many men, of all kinds, like stars surrounding the moon. But those willing to spend money on her were few and far between. Even, some men from slightly better-off families, after several contacts with her, immediately gave up. The remaining ones, rich men only wanted to use love as an excuse to sleep with her for free. Men without money just wanted to deceive her into going back with them to bear children and carry on their so-called family line. Disgusting enough to make Xu Lingchu want to vomit. Just like that, picking and choosing, university passed in a flash, she was still alone, wasting her years. Xu Lingchu began to panic. Just when she thought, even God was against her, she accidentally learned that Ji Group's domineering CEO was so young, so handsome. The point was, he didn't have a fixed female companion by his side. She had an opportunity! She began to collect information bit by bit, get closer to him bit by bit. Bit by bit, lure him—fall in love with her. Love was just a matter of manipulation. Heh, men! As long as she played it right, threw out that carrot, she wasn't afraid men wouldn't be like plowing oxen led by her nose, working diligently. Ji Cheng loved her like a treasure. But, when she learned Ji Cheng was already married. Ji Cheng had others outside. Xu Lingchu was stunned, her efforts were just a joke. This day, when Ji Cheng came home at night, it was already quite late, with the smell of fireworks on him. This man, usually at home, wouldn't even lift a finger if the oil bottle fell. But, it was said, he could cook. His only cooking object was He Xingwan. "Ji Cheng." Xu Lingchu pretended to smile charmingly, hugging his neck. "Mm." Ji Cheng smiled, thinking of He Xingwan's words, but didn't take it to heart. Just a love game, that's all. But he hadn't expected that this night, Xu Lingchu would arrange for people to kidnap Tuzi. I really didn't know, Xu Lingchu would have people kidnap Tuzi. Even more intolerable was that she ordered several punks to try to rape Tuzi. I brought bodyguards to the abandoned factory outside the city, when Tuzi's clothes had already been stripped off. Those few punks, used extremely despicable methods. After kidnapping Tuzi, they took her to the abandoned factory outside the city. Then, they used all kinds of despicable means to torture her, humiliate her. Stripping off her clothes, whipping her with belts, slapping her with shoe soles, shaving off all the hair on her body. When I brought people over, Tuzi's condition was very bad. I took off my outer coat, wrapping it around her. "Save me... save my child..." she clutched her stomach desperately. Only then did I learn, she was pregnant. I hurriedly sent her to the hospital. My family's private hospital, found the best doctors. But, Doctor Zhou came out of the emergency room, took off his mask, and asked me: "Miss, what kind of person is she? Where is her husband?" "What happened?" I said. The matter of Xu Lingchu kidnapping Tuzi, I had not reported to the police. Concerning Ji Cheng, I hadn't prepared to make the matter big. "She has severe heart disease, completely unsuitable for pregnancy." Doctor Zhou said, "Now we need to terminate her pregnancy, requiring her husband's signature." I thought for a moment, then said: "What's her condition now?" "Basically stabilized." Doctor Zhou said, "She not only suffered shock, but was also beaten and humiliated. If she had been sent to the hospital any later, it would have been two lives lost." I was very angry. I knew Xu Lingchu was no good thing. I also knew she was preparing a fake death, to let Ji Cheng play a chase-your-wife-to-the-crematorium drama. But, I really hadn't thought she would have people kidnap Tuzi, and let several punks do unspeakable things to her. "Doctor Zhou, you wait, let me ask first." I went outside, calling Ji Cheng. Today, was also the day Xu Lingchu had people handle the relevant procedures, preparing for her fake death. Of course, when she originally prepared to play like this, I was happy to see it. Plain days, since someone wanted to add a splash of color, I was quite interested. Even, I was prepared to help Xu Lingchu a bit. But now I changed my mind. The phone was almost instantly answered— "Xingwan, Xu Lingchu had a car accident." Ji Cheng's voice on the phone, carried a bit of excitement. "I'm rushing to the hospital, haha, she wants to play like this, I'll play along with her." I suddenly came back to my senses. If I hadn't interfered, then at this moment Ji Cheng received the call, learning Tuzi had been kidnapped, raped and defiled, had a miscarriage. So, he would recklessly rush over to see Tuzi. Then, Ji Cheng would learn, Xu Lingchu had died. And he, for the sake of another woman, missed the opportunity to save Xu Lingchu, missed the chance to see Xu Lingchu one last time. Ji Cheng would regret, would suffer the condemnation of his conscience. Would ignore the fact that Tuzi had been humiliated. Even, in the plot Xu Lingchu envisioned, Ji Cheng would, for her sake, recklessly retaliate against us people.

15

I said: "Tuzi encountered some trouble." I briefly explained the situation. Ji Cheng broke down. He said, he was rushing over immediately. "What are you rushing over for?" I coldly asked, "Are you a doctor?" "I'm just telling you, your game has hurt the innocent." I coldly said, "Handle Xu Lingchu properly, I will watch over Tuzi." Saying that, I hung up the phone. As for how Ji Cheng would handle a person faking death, I didn't really care. Anyway, if I wasn't satisfied with the result, I would handle it myself. I walked into Tuzi's ward. She was curled on the hospital bed, empty eyes looking out the window, without any focus. I pulled a chair, sitting down before her. "Tuzi, I think, we should talk." I said. She was silent for a long time, then said: "Thank you, thank you for saving me." "But, I don't want to talk right now." "Officer, can you come back later to question?" She thought I was a police officer. After all, when she was kidnapped, she desperately tried to call the police for help. I sighed, if in normal circumstances, I wouldn't want to disturb her, but Doctor Zhou said, Tuzi had best arrange surgery as soon as possible. "Tuzi, I'm not a police officer." I said. Her calm eyes flashed a trace of doubt. "I am Ji Cheng's wife, He Xingwan." I said. She was stunned. "Some time ago, Xu Lingchu cyberbullied me, causing quite a stir. Didn't you see the news?" I asked in surprise. "I thought it was just a farce." Tuzi lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry, I will leave him." Tuzi said. I couldn't help but smile a little. Tuzi was a relatively normal woman, in this situation, she actually apologized to me. "That's not the point." I smiled and said, "You're pregnant, but you have heart disease, plus today's incident, your body is very weak." "The doctor recommends terminating the pregnancy as soon as possible." "You have heart disease, you're not suitable for pregnancy at all." Tuzi stared blankly at me. But I silently sighed, in that situation, Tuzi's first thought was the child. She must really want a child. "Can you let me think about it?" Tuzi said. I nodded and said: "You can also discuss with Ji Cheng. Rest assured, it's just a minor procedure." She thanked me again. I stood up to leave, preparing to go see Ji Cheng's side to see Xu Lingchu. This time, I was prepared to give her several hard slaps. Of course, the several punks who participated in kidnapping Tuzi, I wasn't prepared to let any of them go. When I arrived at the hospital where Xu Lingchu was, the doctor told me. Doctor Jiang had been taken away by the police. The charge was abusing his authority to issue a death certificate for Xu Lingchu. But, Xu Lingchu had also been transferred to another hospital, to a private hospital. The little nurses chattered about the latest gossip. "Miss He, you're Miss Xu's friend, ah, Miss Xu is really lucky, Mr. Ji loves her so much." "Miss Xu has very severe kidney disease, needs a kidney transplant, so Mr. Ji transferred her to another hospital." "We're just a small hospital!" This was the information I got from the hospital little nurses.

16

I knew that Doctor Jiang, was Xu Lingchu's most loyal lapdog. Also from that orphanage. The difference was, he relied on his own efforts, was admitted to medical university. After graduation, he worked at this small hospital. If Doctor Jiang didn't love Xu Lingchu, then he should have had his own beautiful future. With a skill to rely on. And stable work, in the future he could find a girl, marry, have children, jointly manage their small family. Unfortunately, he loved the wrong person. Clearly knowing Xu Lingchu didn't love him, clearly knowing Xu Lingchu had always been using him. Clearly knowing, issuing a death certificate for a living person would bear what kind of consequences, he still did it without hesitation. Was this love? I was somewhat confused. I didn't go to the hospital where Xu Lingchu was. Because I knew, Ji Cheng wanted to do something. I also didn't prepare to stop him, everyone needed to pay the price for their actions. For example, those few punks who humiliated Tuzi. Three days later, Ji Cheng came to my home, looking travel-worn. I cooked a pack of instant noodles, didn't prepare any for him. "Xingwan, I'm sorry." Ji Cheng apologized to me. "Shouldn't you be thanking me?" I smiled, slurping the instant noodles. He sat down opposite me, sighing softly, saying: "Xingwan, there's something I need to discuss with you." "Go ahead." I smiled. I somewhat guessed his purpose. "Tuzi's condition isn't good, her body is completely unsuitable for pregnancy." "These past few days, I've been persuading her to abort the child, she won't listen, she wants to give birth to the child." I continued listening, without speaking, after all, this wasn't my business. "Xingwan, do you want a child?" Ji Cheng asked. I suddenly looked up, staring at him blankly. "If you don't mind, Tuzi wants to give birth, I'll let her give birth..." Ji Cheng was rather awkward, I even saw a trace of guilt between his brows. I smiled sarcastically. "If Tuzi wants to give birth to the child, she might lose her life." I said. Doctor Zhou had told me, Tuzi must terminate the pregnancy. As a doctor, most of the time, they respect life. "Tuzi isn't suitable to give birth." I said, "This isn't about me wanting a child or not, you're gambling with Tuzi's life." "Discuss it with her again. I really don't recommend her giving birth to the child." Ji Cheng picked up his clothes, preparing to leave. When he reached the door to change shoes, he suddenly said: "Xingwan, after I arrange Tuzi and Xu Lingchu properly, let's date!" I almost choked on my instant noodles. Ji Cheng and I had been married for years— Not long ago, he had just done a city full of fireworks, global livestream proposal to Xu Lingchu. Recently, I had just helped him save his bunny girl. Tuzi was even pregnant. A moment ago, he wanted Tuzi's child to be raised under my name. The next moment, he said, he wanted to date me. "Xingwan, I'm serious." Ji Cheng said, "We should cast aside the marriage alliance matters, try it out?"

17

Xu Lingchu was somewhat flustered, tears suddenly streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't know the stock would fall."

A man might not care about women, but he couldn't not care about the company's stock.

"Ji Cheng, I just love you too much, I really can't stand you having other women."

"Wuwuwu!" Xu Lingchu cried, her voice carrying undisguised grievance.

"It's fine if the stock fell." Ji Cheng's voice came coldly from above.

"But, you cannot touch her."

"Xu Lingchu, don't let there be a next time, otherwise—"

He lifted her chin, pinching it forcefully.

That night, he locked her in the villa's basement.

No lights, no air conditioning.

Only hard concrete floor.

Xu Lingchu hugged her knees, her face turning purple from cold, even when the housekeeper came to open the door the next day, she felt she was going to die.

Just like that, Ji Cheng punished her and that wasn't all.

He also withdrew the investment from the orphanage.

He announced to the outside world that they were just in a cooperative relationship.

The so-called "livestream proposal" was just promotion for a new product launch.

18

During this time, Xu Lingchu was miserable and lost.

Although everyone at the orphanage comforted her.

She felt like a failure, as if everything had returned to before.

When she was little, she was also popular and beloved at the orphanage.

But whenever wealthy families came to adopt, she tried her hardest, but opportunities always slipped past her.

All her efforts were in vain, time and again seeing happiness so close, seeing family ties within reach.

But what awaited her was nothing but empty results.

Teachers all said that effort brings rewards.

Why did all her efforts end up being futile?

Although she still lived in Ji Cheng's luxurious villa, whenever she woke from midnight dreams, she would always curl up on a simple wooden bed, with mottled, peeling walls and a drafty rental room.

She wanted wealth, wanted to be loved.

She longed to be a princess.

Recently, Ji Cheng always carried a suspicious perfume scent, and occasionally, there were bruises and red marks on his neck.

Xu Lingchu hired someone to follow him and learned that besides He Xingwan, he actually had other women.

That woman was wild and unrestrained, sexy and charming, using various methods to tease Ji Cheng.

Xu Lingchu angrily smashed a vase in the villa.

Ji Cheng was hers.

How dare that bunny girl seduce him?

She roared and screamed like a madwoman, all the maids in the villa hid in corners, letting her voice drift through the empty rooms.

No one paid her any mind.

Why?

Was she so undeserving of sympathy, so undeserving of empathy?

Did that person—He Xingwan know? No, she had to go tell her.

She couldn't let her bear all the pain alone.

She ran wildly through the wind and snow, thinking, this was how the female protagonists in TV dramas were.

Ji Cheng would see it and surely regret it.

He would surely love her well again, and never fool around outside or act recklessly again.

But when she came out from He Xingwan's side, Xu Lingchu discovered her entire world had gone dark.

The wind and snow continued.

There were no cars at the bus stop by the road.

Sitting on the bench at the bus stop, tears flowed like a faucet with a broken handle, continuously overflowing from her eyes.

He and she were actually legally married?

They were married.

Ji Cheng, the executive CEO of Ji Group wasn't single, not...

He Xingwan was right, she was the third party interfering in their marriage, like a thief stealing love.

She stole miserably.

After stealing, she even prepared to run to the original owner with her stolen goods to show off.

Then what was she busy with all along?

No, this time, she must succeed, she would make Ji Cheng regret it.

Married? So what?

Ji Cheng definitely didn't love her.

The person he loved could only be her, Xu Lingchu.

In this situation, if she continued to sweetly coax Ji Cheng, it would just be letting the man take advantage for nothing.

From childhood to adulthood, she was always the one using her beauty to take advantage of others.

How could she let others take advantage of her?

Right, she must make Ji Cheng and He Xingwan divorce, and she also wanted to kill that bunny girl.

Weighing both, she hated the bunny girl even more.

This woman actually took advantage while she and Ji Cheng were arguing to move in.

This woman was just a gold digger.

19

Xu Lingchu seemed to forget that when she first targeted Ji Cheng, it was because he was rich.

Just like back at the orphanage, it wasn't that no families wanted to adopt her.

She was beautiful, well-behaved, and sensible.

So, everyone at the orphanage liked her, and every time a family came to adopt, she would find out in advance what she wanted to know.

If the other party was wealthy, she would use all her skills to show her most beautiful and well-behaved side.

If the other party was just an ordinary family, she sneered at them.

Even, she felt that ordinary families weren't worthy of adopting her.

In her heart, she mocked them—couldn't earn money, weren't smart enough, deserved to die without descendants, couldn't give birth, yet wanted children to support them in old age and carry on their family line?

Where in the world could there be such good fortune?

As for why she had such a clear and decisive mind at such a young age.

It was because—she was a person born with knowledge.

And for this reason, she learned everything quickly as a child, simple words, arithmetic, she knew them innately.

Her intelligence and wisdom lasted until about middle school.

By high school, her grades slowly declined, those difficult mathematics, physics, chemistry, she couldn't learn them.

Liberal arts?

Language arts, she only understood superficially, and English too, she didn't have the patience to memorize English vocabulary.

But, in order to better hook up with wealthy men in the future, she continued to work hard.

And so, Xu Lingchu got into a not-so-good university, working part-time while studying, barely getting by.

Everyone knows that university is a paradise for love.

Xu Lingchu vowed that this time, she would firmly grasp her future happiness in advance.

She couldn't choose her background, but she had the right to choose who to marry.

She was a person born with knowledge, she was extremely beautiful, she was born to be superior to others.

It was sad and ridiculous, ah, people, once they reach university, who is a fool?

She was once surrounded by many men, of all kinds, like stars surrounding the moon.

But those willing to spend money on her were few and far between.

Even, some men from slightly better-off families, after a few encounters with her, immediately gave up.

The remaining people, wealthy men only wanted to use dating as an excuse to sleep with her for free.

Men without money just wanted to deceive her into going back to bear them children and carry on their so-called family line.

Disgusting enough to make Xu Lingchu want to vomit.

And so, picking and choosing, university passed in a flash, she was still alone, having wasted her years.

Xu Lingchu started to get anxious.

Just when she thought that even God was against her, she accidentally learned that the domineering CEO of Ji Group was actually so young, so handsome.

The key point was that he didn't have a fixed female companion by his side.

She had an opportunity!

She began to collect information bit by bit, get closer to him bit by bit.

Tempt him bit by bit—to fall in love with her.

Love was just about control.

Heh, men!

As long as she played it just right, dangled that carrot, she wasn't afraid that men wouldn't be like oxen plowing fields, led by the nose by her, working diligently.

Ji Cheng loved her like a treasure.

But when she learned that Ji Cheng was already married.

Ji Cheng had someone else outside.

Xu Lingchu was stunned, her efforts were just a joke.

This day, when Ji Cheng came home at night, it was already quite late, carrying the smell of fireworks on him.

This man, usually at home, wouldn't even lift a finger if an oil bottle fell over.

But, it was said that he could cook.

The only person he cooked for was He Xingwan.

"Ji Cheng." Xu Lingchu put on a charming smile, hugging his neck.

"Mm." Ji Cheng smiled, remembering He Xingwan's words, but didn't take it to heart.

It was just a game of love, that's all.

20

Xu Lingchu asked with a smile: "Have you eaten? Why are you so late today?"

"I've eaten." Ji Cheng pulled her off himself.

He didn't know why, but since Xu Lingchu started cyberbullying He Xingwan, he seemed to have lost even basic physical interest in her.

To be honest, when he first saw her in the dim lighting of the coffee shop, he was somewhat stunned.

He thought, this girl was so beautiful.

But, in their social circle, beautiful women were everywhere.

Later, when Xu Lingchu brought him coffee, instead of placing it properly on the table as was proper, she directly handed it to him.

He knew what this woman wanted to do.

Ji Cheng didn't care at all, just playing around.

And... he wanted to stimulate He Xingwan a bit.

The first time he saw He Xingwan, she was only eighteen, and he was twenty-one.

At a banquet, she was wearing a loose dress, completely different from those women at the banquet wearing mermaid dresses that showed off their graceful figures.

He didn't know how to describe that feeling.

—Love at first sight!

All the beautiful scenery in the world seemed to pale in comparison to that gentle smile in her eyes.

At the banquet, besides him, there were several other young men.

Without exception, they came from prominent families and had handsome features.

They frequently showered her with attention.

He knew that banquet was for the Southeast Asian He Consortium to choose a son-in-law.

The young men present were all his competitors.

He originally wasn't interested, just going through the motions.

But after seeing He Xingwan, he changed his mind, using all his skills to compete for this marriage alliance opportunity.

He knew he was outstanding.

Among the many competitors, he stood out.

And yet, the most intimate contact between him and her was actually just going to Jiangnan together.

Jiangnan's apricot blossoms and light rain, just like described in books, she smiled, handing him her phone, asking him to help take a picture.

When she was taking a selfie, he leaned over, wanting to take a group photo, and she didn't refuse, she smiled gently and charmingly.

After returning from Jiangnan, the marriage alliance between the Ji and He families began to proceed.

And then, she continued studying, painting, while he did business, earned money, and supported the family.

She seemed uninterested in many things in the world.

She and he seemed to live in two different worlds.

Ji Cheng really wanted to see, if he confessed his love to someone else, if... he had another woman outside.

A woman, even if she didn't love, probably couldn't bear to see a man passionately fall in love with someone else, right?

Ji Cheng had investigated everything about Xu Lingchu.

Born in an orphanage, somewhat scheming, but without parents or family, not too many burdens.

The key point was that she was also somewhat special.

Everything met his ideal requirements.

It would be her.

He spent three months, whetting her appetite, slowly, step by step, getting closer to her.

Xu Lingchu didn't know that from the very beginning, she was just a tool.

She thought she was the excellent hunter, using herself as bait to lure Ji Cheng into the trap of love.

But she didn't know that Ji Cheng had prepared everything long ago, using her as a tool.

He used the city's fireworks, global livestream, to express his love for her.

But he had long been prepared for how to handle the follow-up.

21

The luxurious crystal chandelier, under the warm yellow light, carried a hint of ambiguous luster.

"Ji Cheng, do you love me?" Xu Lingchu suddenly asked.

This question, in the past year or so, she had asked countless times repeatedly.

Every time, Ji Cheng would say: "I love you, Chuchu, I love you."

This time, Ji Cheng leaned on the sofa, looking up at her.

Ji Cheng's gaze carried a hint of scrutiny, a hint of criticism.

He looked starting from her feet, along her legs, finally, his gaze nakedly falling on her chest.

Xu Lingchu suddenly became very angry.

Because now Ji Cheng's gaze was like picking pork at a vegetable market, this was an insult, a naked insult.

"Ji Cheng, you can't treat me like this." Xu Lingchu said, biting her lip.

"Haven't we been dating for over a year? Did you never have any feelings for me?"

Ji Cheng took out a cigarette, lit one, and then slowly said: "Xu Lingchu, your weapon is just your so-called beauty."

"But, do you know?"

Ji Cheng smiled, as if looking at a joke.

"Among ordinary people, you are indeed very beautiful, surpassing countless passersby."

"But, if you were put in the entertainment circle, you would be just so-so."

"Have you ever thought about playing in the entertainment circle?"

"I'll debut you, after all, you're quite good at acting."

Xu Lingchu was stunned for a moment, and instantly, anger filled all her nerves.

She loved him so much, how could he humiliate her like this?

"Ji Cheng, what do you mean, comparing me to an actress?" Xu Lingchu's voice rose several decibels.

Ji Cheng was stunned for a moment.

Although he knew everything, knew that Xu Lingchu had impure motives from the moment she approached him.

But he had also treated her as a tool.

They had been dating for over a year, real and fake, fake and real, they had said all sorts of sentimental cheesy lines.

She cyberbullied He Xingwan, and even ordered someone to ride a bike to hit her.

Ji Cheng was indeed very angry, locking her in the basement for one night.

But—their game was over.

As a man, he needed to be responsible and find her a good way out.

She was beautiful and could act, he would debut her, and then throw some money at her, throw some resources...

Ji Cheng tried to be patient, his mood was quite good today.

"Xu Lingchu, I've thought about it, this is your best job, and also the most likely way to stand out and satisfy your pursuits." Ji Cheng said.

Xu Lingchu irritably waved her hand: "Ji Cheng, I don't want these, I only want you, want you to love me, marry me."

"I don't love you, and it's impossible for me to marry you."

Xu Lingchu walked to Ji Cheng's side, staring wide-eyed at the man before her.

No, this shouldn't be, he had clearly said he loved her.

"Is it because of He Xingwan?" Xu Lingchu asked, "What's so good about her?"

This question, Ji Cheng didn't know how to answer.

At the beginning, He Xingwan was distant and polite to him, and he didn't take it seriously.

Even, he thought this was best.

A marriage alliance was just asset reorganization, mutual interest bundling.

She kept her little wolf dog, he admired his beautiful jade women.

But as he gradually grew older, he discovered that she never kept a little wolf dog, even when following stars, she just watched dramas.

She wouldn't even buy peripherals or endorsements for them.

Not worthy of being called a rich person!

As for his beautiful jade women outside?

Having seen all sorts of them, he gradually grew tired.

He suddenly felt that the happiest thing was occasionally running to cook for He Xingwan.

Like an old married couple of many years, chatting about current affairs news, talking about family matters.

22

Ji Cheng pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray, in the future, he shouldn't smoke anymore.

He Xingwan didn't like him smoking.

Tonight, he suddenly felt like he wanted to find someone to chat with.

Xu Lingchu was not a suitable person.

He missed Tuzi a bit.

"Xu Lingchu, between us, from the very beginning, was just a game."

"From the first day we met, when you disregarded propriety and handed me coffee, deliberately spilling it."

Speaking of this, Ji Cheng couldn't help but smile.

"A game of romance and snow, if you like it, I'll give it to you."

"It was just for fun, why did you take it seriously?"

"If you don't want to debut in the entertainment circle, then tell me, what do you want to do?"

"I'll arrange work for you."

"Although your degree from that third-rate university is useless, it doesn't matter."

Xu Lingchu once again felt deeply humiliated, insulted.

Did she want work?

She just didn't want to work, she longed to get something for nothing.

When she was little, she hoped to be adopted by a super wealthy person, thus leaping to become a rich young lady.

When she grew up, she hoped to become a wealthy wife through marriage.

In any case, all her efforts had never considered the words "work."

Hard work, earning a salary, in her eyes, that was something inferior people did.

She was a person born with knowledge, destined to be the protagonist, how could she go to work?

Ji Cheng's phone buzzed once, he looked down at his phone, a gentle smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.

From this angle, Xu Lingchu could just see the message on his phone.

Sure enough, it was that despicable woman harassing him again.

"Chuchu, you think it over carefully."

"It's not like now when the scandal hasn't broken out, you staying at my place is fine."

"Now, everyone knows we're just in a cooperative relationship."

Ji Cheng said coldly: "I'll give you half a month, think carefully, what are you preparing to do?"

"Enter the entertainment circle, become a movie queen in the future, admired by all?"

"Or, seek stability, find an ordinary job, I can arrange a sinecure for you, guaranteeing you'll be clothed and fed for life."

Xu Lingchu felt her vision go dark.

But Ji Cheng had already picked up his coat and car keys, preparing to leave.

"Between us, is it really just cooperation?" Xu Lingchu's voice carried a tremor.

"Naturally." Ji Cheng nodded.

Thinking seriously, what he most wanted to win should be He Xingwan's heart.

But he didn't know if he really loved her, or if it was the halo effect of her status that made her seem to have a filter.

Like that year's apricot blossoms and light rain in Jiangnan, on the artificially carved ancient town, exceptionally beautiful.

23

Ji Cheng's phone buzzed again, he looked down, and it was Tuzi again.

Based on Ji Cheng's understanding of her, there must be something going on, otherwise, Tuzi wouldn't send him messages one after another.

She was gentle and charming, delicate and soft-figured, giving him great pleasure both spiritually and physically.

He quite liked her.

The key point was that Tuzi was a very sensible person.

Never coveting things she shouldn't think about.

She was a small screenwriter, raising a particularly cute Hai Tang rabbit.

In some ways, Tuzi and He Xingwan were similar, they didn't rely on men, they were independent and strong.

But at the same time, Tuzi was too weak, weak like a dodder flower.

Even though she was so weak, she rarely took the initiative to send messages to bother him.

So, Ji Cheng no longer paid attention to Xu Lingchu, and got up to leave.

To him, Xu Lingchu was just a game of romance and snow.

She wanted to play.

He wanted to play too!

Each took what they needed.

If Xu Lingchu hadn't been so clueless, he would have continued.

But she ended their game.

"You can't leave." Xu Lingchu threw herself at him, hugging him.

If it were before, when Xu Lingchu took the initiative to throw herself into his arms, Ji Cheng would definitely have been somewhat interested.

He would hug her, hold her, kiss her.

But today, he just coldly shook off her hands around his waist.

"Chuchu, I have something to do now, no time to play your games, think clearly, are you preparing to enter the entertainment circle, or find a high-paying sinecure and live comfortably for the rest of your life."

"Or, you could also consider finding an honest man and marrying yourself off." Ji Cheng said.

Xu Lingchu shouted loudly: "Ji Cheng, I don't want anything, I only want you."

The female protagonists in TV dramas all say this.

As the male lead, he should be moved.

But Ji Cheng didn't, he even seemed to be listening to a joke.

He even smiled sarcastically.

This made Xu Lingchu very uncomfortable, she irritably waved her hand and said: "Ji Cheng, listen to me."

Ji Cheng replied to Tuzi with a message.

"Alright, Xu Lingchu, I'll give you ten minutes, speak, what do you really want to do?" Ji Cheng said.

Xu Lingchu bit her lip and said: "Ji Cheng, I sincerely love you, you should know."

"Between us, it's not a game."

"I'm different from them."

Ji Cheng wanted to laugh, love?

What an expensive word.

Even he didn't dare to presume "love."

Deep in his heart, he had a trace of excitement, or perhaps, when would be the right time to confess his love to He Xingwan.

To say to her: "I love you!"

"How are you different from them?" Ji Cheng asked.

"Are you more beautiful than them, or are you smarter than them?"

"Or, are you poorer than them, fatherless and motherless, an orphan, so you can lawlessly love?"

Xu Lingchu simply couldn't believe her ears.

She suddenly felt, the area of her heart, aching so badly.

How could he profane their love so casually, so lightly.

Xu Lingchu thought for a moment, she had read many romance novels, understood the key talking points.

"Ji Cheng, it's not like that, they're all greedy for your money."

"Your bunny girl, your He Xingwan."

"Especially that He Xingwan, she actually deceived you into marrying her, doesn't she see what she is, how is she worthy of you?"

"Ji Cheng, you are one of the most successful men in this world, your wife should be an extraordinary person born."

"And I..."

Xu Lingchu was considering whether to tell him that she was born with knowledge, that she was born the protagonist of this world.

"Anyway, if you get me, you can get everything you want to possess."

"Otherwise, you will definitely end up with nothing."

Ji Cheng felt that Xu Lingchu was now like a madman.

So, he opened the door and walked directly out, not even bothering to acknowledge her.

"Ji Cheng, you will regret this." Behind him, Xu Lingchu roared hoarsely.

Hearing this sentence, Ji Cheng's steps paused, He Xingwan had also asked him before.

If Xu Lingchu left, would he regret it?

He really wanted to know, what would he regret?

24

I knew Xu Lingchu was somewhat mad.

So, I had specially reminded Ji Cheng.

I thought, such a small matter, a game of romance and snow, Ji Cheng could definitely handle it well.

No need for me to worry.

But, the development of events still exceeded my expectations.

I really didn't know that Xu Lingchu would have someone kidnap Tuzi.

What I couldn't tolerate even more was that she ordered a few yellow-haired punks to attempt to rape Tuzi.

When I brought bodyguards to the abandoned factory outside the city, Tuzi's clothes had already been stripped off.

Those few punks were extremely vile in their methods.

After kidnapping Tuzi, they took her to an abandoned factory outside the city.

Then, they used all sorts of vile methods to torture her, humiliate her.

They stripped her clothes, whipped her with belts, slapped her with shoe soles, and shaved off all the hair on her body.

When I rushed over with people, Tuzi's condition was very bad.

I took off my outer coat and wrapped it around her.

"Save me... save my child..." she hugged her belly tightly.

Only then did I know that she was pregnant.

I hurriedly sent her to the hospital.

My family's private hospital, found the best doctor.

But, when Doctor Zhou came out of the emergency room, took off his mask, and asked me: "Miss, what is her identity? Where is her husband?"

"What happened?" I said.

I hadn't reported Xu Lingchu kidnapping Tuzi to the police.

It involved Ji Cheng, and I wasn't prepared to make a big fuss about it.

"She has severe heart disease, completely unsuitable for pregnancy." Doctor Zhou said, "Now we need to terminate her pregnancy, it requires her husband's signature."

I thought for a moment, then said: "What's her current condition like?"

"Basically stabilized." Doctor Zhou said, "She wasn't just frightened, she was also beaten and humiliated. If she had been sent to the hospital a bit later, it would have been two lives lost."

I was very angry.

I knew Xu Lingchu was no good person.

I also knew she was preparing to fake her death, wanting Ji Cheng to play out a chase-his-wife-to-the-crematorium scene.

But I really hadn't thought that she would have someone kidnap Tuzi, and even have a few punks do those unspeakable things to her.

"Doctor Zhou, wait a moment, I'll ask first." I went outside and called Ji Cheng.

Today was also the day Xu Lingchu had someone handle the relevant procedures, preparing to fake her death.

Of course, when she was originally preparing to play like this, I was happy to see it happen.

With the dull days, since someone wanted to add a bit of color, I was quite interested.

Even, I was prepared to help Xu Lingchu a bit.

But now I've changed my mind.

The phone was answered almost instantly—

"Wanwan, Xu Lingchu had a car accident." Ji Cheng's voice in the phone carried a bit of excitement.

"I'm rushing to the hospital, haha, she wants to play like this, I'll play along with her."

I suddenly came back to my senses.

If I hadn't intervened, then at this time Ji Cheng would receive a call, learn that Tuzi had been kidnapped, raped, defiled, and had a miscarriage.

So, he would rush over without regard for anything to see Tuzi.

Then, Ji Cheng would learn that Xu Lingchu had died.

And he, for the sake of another woman, missed the opportunity to save Xu Lingchu, missed the chance to see Xu Lingchu one last time.

Ji Cheng would regret, would suffer the condemnation of his conscience.

Would ignore the fact that Tuzi had been humiliated.

Even, in the plot Xu Lingchu envisioned, Ji Cheng would, for her sake, recklessly retaliate against us people.

25

I said: "Tuzi encountered some trouble."

I briefly explained the situation.

Ji Cheng broke down.

He said, he was rushing over immediately.

"What are you rushing over for?" I coldly asked, "Are you a doctor?"

"I'm just telling you, your game has hurt the innocent." I coldly said, "Handle Xu Lingchu properly, I will watch over Tuzi."

Saying that, I hung up the phone.

As for how Ji Cheng would handle a person faking death, I didn't really care.

Anyway, if I wasn't satisfied with the result, I would handle it myself.

I walked into Tuzi's ward.

She was curled on the hospital bed, empty eyes looking out the window, without any focus.

I pulled a chair, sitting down before her.

"Tuzi, I think, we should talk." I said.

She was silent for a long time, then said: "Thank you, thank you for saving me."

"But, I don't want to talk right now."

"Officer, can you come back later to question?"

She thought I was a police officer.

After all, when she was kidnapped, she desperately tried to call the police for help.

I sighed, if in normal circumstances, I wouldn't want to disturb her, but Doctor Zhou said, Tuzi had best arrange surgery as soon as possible.

"Tuzi, I'm not a police officer." I said.

Her calm eyes flashed a trace of doubt.

"I am Ji Cheng's wife, He Xingwan." I said.

She was stunned.

"Some time ago, Xu Lingchu cyberbullied me, causing quite a stir. Didn't you see the news?" I asked in surprise.

"I thought it was just a farce." Tuzi lowered her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I will leave him." Tuzi said.

I couldn't help but smile a little.

Tuzi was a relatively normal woman, in this situation, she actually apologized to me.

"That's not the point." I smiled and said, "You're pregnant, but you have heart disease, plus today's incident, your body is very weak."

"The doctor recommends terminating the pregnancy as soon as possible."

"You have heart disease, you're not suitable for pregnancy at all."

Tuzi stared blankly at me.

But I silently sighed, in that situation, Tuzi's first thought was the child.

She must really want a child.

"Can you let me think about it?" Tuzi said.

I nodded and said: "You can also discuss with Ji Cheng. Rest assured, it's just a minor procedure."

She thanked me again.

I stood up to leave, preparing to go see Ji Cheng's side to see Xu Lingchu.

This time, I was prepared to give her several hard slaps.

Of course, the several punks who participated in kidnapping Tuzi, I wasn't prepared to let any of them go.

When I arrived at the hospital where Xu Lingchu was, the doctor told me.

Doctor Jiang had been taken away by the police.

The charge was abusing his authority to issue a death certificate for Xu Lingchu.

But, Xu Lingchu had also been transferred to another hospital, to a private hospital.

The little nurses chattered about the latest gossip.

"Miss He, you're Miss Xu's friend, ah, Miss Xu is really lucky, Mr. Ji loves her so much."

"Miss Xu has very severe kidney disease, needs a kidney transplant, so Mr. Ji transferred her to another hospital."

"We're just a small hospital!"

This was the information I got from the hospital little nurses.

26

I knew that Doctor Jiang, was Xu Lingchu's most loyal lapdog.

Also from that orphanage.

The difference was, he relied on his own efforts, was admitted to medical university.

After graduation, he worked at this small hospital.

If Doctor Jiang didn't love Xu Lingchu, then he should have had his own beautiful future.

With a skill to rely on.

And stable work, in the future he could find a girl, marry, have children, jointly manage their small family.

Unfortunately, he loved the wrong person.

Clearly knowing Xu Lingchu didn't love him, clearly knowing Xu Lingchu had always been using him.

Clearly knowing, issuing a death certificate for a living person would bear what kind of consequences, he still did it without hesitation.

Was this love?

I was somewhat confused.

I didn't go to the hospital where Xu Lingchu was.

Because I knew, Ji Cheng wanted to do something.

I also didn't prepare to stop him, everyone needed to pay the price for their actions.

For example, those few punks who humiliated Tuzi.

Three days later, Ji Cheng came to my home, looking travel-worn.

I cooked a pack of instant noodles, didn't prepare any for him.

"Wanwan, I'm sorry." Ji Cheng apologized to me.

"Shouldn't you be thanking me?" I smiled, slurping the instant noodles.

He sat down opposite me, sighing softly, saying: "Wanwan, there's something I need to discuss with you."

"Go ahead." I smiled.

I somewhat guessed his purpose.

"Tuzi's condition isn't good, her body is completely unsuitable for pregnancy."

"These past few days, I've been persuading her to abort the child, she won't listen, she wants to give birth to the child."

I continued listening, without speaking, after all, this wasn't my business.

"Wanwan, do you want a child?" Ji Cheng asked.

I suddenly looked up, staring at him blankly.

"If you don't mind, Tuzi wants to give birth, I'll let her give birth..." Ji Cheng was rather awkward, I even saw a trace of guilt between his brows.

I smiled sarcastically.

"If Tuzi wants to give birth to the child, she might lose her life." I said.

Doctor Zhou had told me, Tuzi must terminate the pregnancy.

As a doctor, most of the time, they respect life.

"Tuzi isn't suitable to give birth." I said, "This isn't about me wanting a child or not, you're gambling with Tuzi's life."

"Discuss it with her again. I really don't recommend her giving birth to the child."

Ji Cheng picked up his clothes, preparing to leave.

When he reached the door to change shoes, he suddenly said: "Wanwan, after I arrange Tuzi and Xu Lingchu properly, let's date!"

I almost choked on my instant noodles.

Ji Cheng and I had been married for years—

Not long ago, he had just done a city full of fireworks, global livestream proposal to Xu Lingchu.

Recently, I had just helped him save his bunny girl.

Tuzi was even pregnant.

A moment ago, he wanted Tuzi's child to be raised under my name.

The next moment, he said, he wanted to date me.

"Wanwan, I'm serious." Ji Cheng said, "We should cast aside the marriage alliance matters, try it out?"

27

Ji Cheng left for a long time, and I still hadn't come back to my senses.

Date?

I had tried, I had attempted.

That year, Jiangnan's apricot blossoms and light rain, I tried to play a game of romance and snow with him.

I had also tried to speak my heart to him, chat about my longing for the future.

But he, as if he hadn't understood.

I nervously closed the doors to my heart.

He lingered forgetfully among the flowers, tired, weary, came to my side seeking the harbor of home?

I knew, he was just made somewhat tired by Xu Lingchu's antics.

Before long, he would again seek the next target, was it a pure female university student, or a gentle and considerate female secretary?

Or perhaps a charming and amorous movie star from the entertainment circle?

He drove luxury cars,包装 himself as graceful and refined, properly dressed, gentle as jade.

Time and again he played the role of Prince Charming, saving his princesses.

But, the women in this world, not all are like Xu Lingchu, not needing his salvation.

A week later, Tuzi came to find me.

This time, she was no longer disheveled, wearing long fake hair, the wounds on her face had healed.

She was even more beautiful than in photos.

The child was still in early months, not yet visible, her small waist still slender, graspable with one hand.

"May I come in?" she looked at me and smiled.

I nodded and invited her in.

She brought me two books as gifts.

Getting straight to the point, she directly stated her purpose.

"Ji Cheng told me your meaning, I know, you're thinking of me, to give birth to this child, I would need to stake my life." As she said this, she reached to touch her lower abdomen.

I said with a smile: "That's right, the doctor said the same, so I suggest you take advantage of the early months to have an abortion."

"Rest for a while, and you can recover."

"Heart disease isn't terminal, take your medicine on time, slowly recuperate and you'll be fine."

Tuzi said: "Miss He, you're truly a good person."

I smiled wryly, I had actually been given a "good person card."

Tuzi said: "Would you like to hear my story?"

I was curious and nodded lightly.

Tuzi smiled, telling me that her parents were both teachers, from a scholarly family, and from childhood, she was smart.

Smart and also beautiful, studied hard, wherever she went she was the dazzling center of attention.

Her childhood and adolescent years, she lived very happily.

She was admitted to a famous film academy in the capital.

"Because I was far from home, because I had just gone out, because... anyway, for many reasons, it wasn't until the winter final exams of my first semester of university that I went home."

"But when I got home, I discovered, I no longer had a home."

"At that time, the national two-child policy had opened up, my parents hid it from me and gave birth to a younger brother."

"My once room, had become the baby's room."

"My mother set up a simple bed for me on the balcony."

"She said, I was going to school anyway, and would be leaving in a few days."

"After university graduation, I would be marrying someone."

"She also said, a girl, sooner or later belongs to someone else's family."

"Only then did I know that, originally, my parents had very strong patriarchal preferences."

"Originally, constrained by national policy, they didn't dare to give birth."

28

Tuzi's story was a typical story of favoring sons over daughters.

Winter vacation of her freshman year, she was only 18, she cried and made a scene.

On New Year's Eve, she packed her luggage, everyone was rushing toward "home" on the road, only she, left home, alone, walking toward an obscure path.

She rented a cheap room near the school, she wrote novels, wrote screenplays.

Stumbling along, she supported herself.

Meeting Ji Cheng, she didn't know if it was her fortune or her misfortune?

From the beginning, she knew Ji Cheng wouldn't marry her, but Ji Cheng bought her a house, Ji Cheng also bought her scripts, made them into dramas, letting her experience the feeling of success.

Ji Cheng gave her romance, a false illusion of love.

Even so, she didn't dare to love.

Like me, she closed her heart, keeping the sunlight outside.

"Parental love can also be a deception, deceiving me for eighteen years."

"They wanted a boy, I understand."

"But, I no longer have a home..."

"That man, from the moment I knew he was the executive CEO of Ji Group, I knew he couldn't give me a home."

"Miss He, do you understand me?" Tuzi asked me.

I nodded, I understood her.

She and Xu Lingchu were different, she had ability, her scripts and novels were excellent.

Even if she hadn't met Ji Cheng, she would have still succeeded.

"From the day I left home at eighteen, I was already tired of living." Tuzi smiled, but tears silently fell.

"If I hadn't experienced those things at the abandoned factory, I might have considered having an abortion and living well."

"Now, I just hope I can give birth to this child."

"The doctor says, he's healthy."

"Miss He, I hope you can allow me."

I suddenly understood Tuzi a bit, she actually just wanted a family member.

A family member connected to her by blood.

Her parents had abandoned her, but she could have a child.

"Alright, I promise you, I'll raise him!" I said.

I knew Xu Lingchu was restless, and Ji Cheng was unreliable.

So, I had my bodyguards secretly protect Tuzi, since she had entrusted the child to me, I had to ensure her child was born safely.

But I never expected that three months later, Xu Lingchu came to find me again.

To be honest, I didn't want to see her at all.

But she was like a madman, running to my home, constantly knocking on the door.

"He Xingwan, open the door for me."

I once again prepared to move to a different place, moving to Green Pear Small Courtyard, although it was a bit desolate, at least the entrance was strict, and the security wouldn't just let a stranger break into the residential complex to harass me.

I opened the door, Xu Lingchu looked haggard, her face pale, holding a large bouquet of apricot blossoms, standing at my door.

Winter had passed, spring quietly arrived, Jiangnan's apricot blossoms and light rain.

I didn't know why she had brought apricot blossoms to see me.

So, I frowned and asked: "What are you preparing to do this time?"

She walked in, placed the bouquet of apricot blossoms on the small table, and asked me: "He Xingwan, why are you so stupid?"

"Why did you let her give birth to the child?"

"Do you know, that even illegitimate children have inheritance rights?"

"I've really never seen such a stupid woman as you."

"You're stupid enough, but why do you have to drag me down with you?"

I sighed lightly, and couldn't help but think of a sentence from online.

People can't earn money beyond their cognitive abilities.

Why did Xu Lingchu's thoughts only consider that Tuzi's child would compete for inheritance rights?

Couldn't she think that our family—with great wealth and business, assets needed to be distributed, needed people to manage them?

I didn't want to have children myself, but my family really had mines that needed inheriting!

29

I didn't want to explain these matters to her, just smiling.

"Xu Lingchu, whether I'm stupid or not has nothing to do with you, you take care of yourself." I said.

Xu Lingchu glared at me viciously.

"If it weren't for you meddling, how would Ji Cheng have known, he... he..."

I frowned, I knew Ji Cheng must have done something, making Xu Lingchu silent and well-behaved for these three months.

"He ordered someone to remove my uterus, and—one of my kidneys." Xu Lingchu said, suddenly starting to cry.

"I've become a disabled person."

She stood up, lifted her clothes, showing me the scars left from surgery.

On her fair jade-like skin, the red scars were particularly conspicuous.

I remained silent.

I wasn't a good person, I didn't sympathize with Xu Lingchu at all.

What she did to Tuzi truly made me angry.

And thinking about it, she cyberbullied me.

If my family didn't happen to have quite a bit of money and power, I would have been condemned by thousands, cursed by ten thousand people.

The latter half of my life could only be like a street rat, living in others' cold and disgusted gazes.

This woman deserved it.

"So, are you here seeking my sympathy?" I said coldly.

"Xu Lingchu, I don't sympathize with you at all."

"I detest you from the bottom of my heart."

Xu Lingchu pointed at me, and suddenly laughed.

She laughed as insanely as before.

I really couldn't understand this woman, with her uterus and one kidney removed, why couldn't she learn her lesson?

Whether it was the Tuzi matter, or her malicious cyberbullying of me, if I had chosen to report it to the police.

She would definitely be inside.

Without five to eight years, she could forget about bouncing around again.

"He Xingwan, I'm telling you, even if you use despicable means to trick Ji Cheng into getting a marriage certificate with you, you can only live in darkness." Xu Lingchu said.

This time, I didn't speak.

Because I didn't understand what she was trying to say.

Xu Lingchu walked up to me, pointing at me: "He Xingwan, have you never wondered why Ji Cheng doesn't take you to any events?"

"Because, you're not worthy!"

I sighed again, people always see problems from their narrow perspectives.

First, if I wanted to attend some events, I didn't need Ji Cheng to take me.

Second, why didn't I attend?

Because I found them dull and tedious.

This type of event was usually a form of socializing, seeking cooperation, seeking higher-level recognition at the events.

And I didn't need these things.

Of course, this was also a topic I was too lazy to discuss with Xu Lingchu.

If it weren't for Ji Cheng being the connection between us, I would never have had any intersection with her in my lifetime.

"He Xingwan, I'm telling you, Ji Cheng loves me." Xu Lingchu stood up, holding her head high, like a proud rooster.

"Loves you?" I murmured softly.

Was Ji Cheng's love tying her to an operating table, removing her uterus and one kidney?

Making her a disabled person?

Why at this point, couldn't she have a clearer self-awareness?

"Xu Lingchu, what advantages do you have that could make Ji Cheng love you?" I was truly curious about this woman's inner world.

Anyway, since I was free.

Life being unchanging wasn't necessarily a good thing, if someone was willing to make trouble all the way, I might as well watch.

"Because, all of you women are just after his money."

"And I, I love him."

"Sooner or later, he will know that I am the person who loves him most in this world."

30

I smiled and said: "Xu Lingchu, you are indeed the person who loves him most in this world."

In this situation, she actually didn't hate Ji Cheng, still obsessed in the whirlpool of love, unable to extricate herself.

Fine, she wanted to deceive herself, let her continue to be indulgent.

I had already said it many times, but alas, I couldn't wake someone pretending to be asleep.

"Since you know, you should be more sensible." Xu Lingchu pointed at me and cursed, "Take the initiative to divorce him, I can let the past be the past."

"The house you're currently living in can be given to you, giving you a place to stay."

"Quickly find an honest man and marry him."

"If you keep纠缠 Ji Cheng, I will definitely make you regret it."

I thought, Xu Lingchu was probably crazy.

To say such mad words.

So, I picked up my phone, turned on speaker, and called Ji Cheng.

"Wanwan, is something up?" Ji Cheng asked me.

"Xu Lingchu is at my place." I looked up at Xu Lingchu and said, "She said, let me take the initiative to divorce you, and she can let the past be the past."

"Ji Cheng, if you want to divorce me, just say so, why let your little mistress come panting and heaving to harass me?"

"Oh, right, she also told me to find an honest man to marry."

"Aren't you an honest man?"

Ji Cheng's voice came through the phone: "Wanwan, don't mind her, let her get lost."

"I have some matters here, I'll come see you later."

Xu Lingchu was standing right there, hearing clearly.

Suddenly, she rushed over without warning and snatched my phone.

Shouting into the phone: "Ji Cheng, you tell her, you don't love her, the person you love most is me."

"Ji Cheng, I've figured it out, I understand."

Since the phone was on speaker, Ji Cheng's voice carried a hint of impatience.

"What do you understand? Give the phone back to Wanwan, don't make trouble, get lost quickly."

"Ji Cheng, I really understand, no wonder you told me to go into the entertainment circle."

"I understand, wait for me to become a movie queen, with a status that matches yours enough, then I can be with you."

"That's right, that's it."

"You're always thinking of me, that's why you're preparing to send me into the entertainment circle, I will definitely work hard, strive to win the Golden Award."

I rubbed my temples, Xu Lingchu could really imagine things.

I knew Ji Cheng's character, to some extent.

He and Xu Lingchu played a game of romance and snow, and naturally he had to arrange her future well.

On a certain level, he was quite responsible.

Xu Lingchu was beautiful and could act, going into the entertainment circle, she still had a chance to stand out and achieve her ideals.

But this had nothing to do with whether Ji Cheng wanted to marry her.

I heard Xu Lingchu continue: "But, I need you to first divorce this bitch He Xingwan, what gives her the right to marry you."

"Shut up." Ji Cheng said angrily, "Have you finished being crazy?"

Following that, Ji Cheng directly hung up the phone.

Xu Lingchu forcefully smashed my phone to the ground.

Poor my new iPhone, was smashed and bounced far away on the ground.

I shook my head, picked up the phone from the ground, and said: "Miss Xu, is the compensation for the phone going to be given by you, or should I go find Ji Cheng for it?"

Xu Lingchu was like a madman, pointing at me and cursing: "He Xingwan, can't you understand human speech?"

"I want you to divorce Ji Cheng."

I calmly smiled and said: "Miss Xu, you should know, you're just the third party."

"I can tolerate you, only because I feel you're like a grasshopper performing on stage, quite fun to watch bouncing around."

"As for matters between me and Ji Cheng, that's not something you can influence."

"Why don't you go ask Ji Cheng if he wants to divorce me?"

"You're already down to one kidney, how do you still have so much energy?"

I walked to the side door, opened it, and invited her out.

I once again felt the urge to move.

This place really wasn't livable anymore.

But the moment I opened the door, I saw Tuzi standing at the entrance.

"When did you get here, why didn't you knock?" I asked.

When Tuzi was in the hospital, I had visited her several times, we added each other on WeChat, occasionally chatting.

She was a sensible person.

She would chat with me about her scripts, her books, and also drag me to watch dramas together, telling me the child in her belly was doing fine.

The only thing she never mentioned was Ji Cheng.

But coming to my door, this was only the second time, the first time was for the child's sake.

A smile touched Tuzi's lips, she asked me: "You have a guest? Is it convenient for me to come in?"

"Just a madwoman, don't mind her."

I invited her in.

Tuzi's gaze fell on Xu Lingchu, a hint of hatred flashing in her eyes.

But immediately, she restrained her gaze and sat down on the living room sofa.

31

I looked at Xu Lingchu and said again: "Xu Lingchu, you can leave now, I have a guest."

Xu Lingchu held her head high and sneered: "Two shameless, despicable women."

Saying that, she walked toward the door.

Tuzi spoke softly, saying: "Xu Lingchu, you will never reach my height in your lifetime."

Xu Lingchu turned around, she was no longer as mad as before, I somewhat suspected, could it be that her crazed state earlier was also an act?

"Ji Cheng will marry me."

"When that time comes, I will send your bastard child to the orphanage."

I thought Tuzi would get angry, and was about to speak to comfort her.

Unexpectedly, Tuzi smiled lightly and said: "Like you?"

"Xu Lingchu, do you think Ji Cheng will marry a madwoman without a uterus and missing a kidney?"

Xu Lingchu rushed over, raising her hand to slap Tuzi's face.

I grabbed her hand. I had studied martial arts since childhood, she a person who had just been severely injured by surgery, her body was weak, and I directly dragged her outside the door. Then, I slammed the door heavily.

Outside, came Xu Lingchu's curses.

Hoarse and desperate!

Cursing me, cursing Tuzi.

I poured Tuzi a glass of juice and asked her: "Is something up?"

"It's her." Tuzi said, "Recently she's been like a madman, constantly harassing me, telling me to have an abortion, otherwise, she will definitely kill me."

I shook my head and said: "Can't she grow a brain?"

Tuzi smiled and said: "She thinks Ji Cheng loves her madly."

I thought carefully, this was the first time she had mentioned Ji Cheng in front of me.

I was somewhat curious and asked: "You don't love him?"

Ji Cheng and I were in a marriage alliance.

At the beginning, I chose him among the crowd.

At that time, his eyes were clear, his gaze gentle, his bearing elegant, truly a first-rate figure in this mortal world.

When we got married, my father said to me: "Wanwan, in the human world, the seven emotions and six desires, all are bitter."

"Learn to be broad-minded, only then can you attain happiness."

"Don't be like your father, who, even with a lifetime of wealth and glory, ended up unable to return home, drifting for a lifetime."

Tuzi thought for a moment, then said: "Naturally, I also like him."

"But I know, he can't give me what I want."

"People, the less they have of something, the more they want it, take me for example, before I was eighteen, I had my father's love and mother's affection, I was a little princess."

"When I was eighteen, I lost my home."

"I argued with my mother, she said, someone as old as me should be sensible."

"So, I sensibly left, and never returned to that home again."

I thought for a moment and asked: "Have you never thought of finding someone who could give you a home?"

Tuzi smiled and shook her head.

32

She said, many men were willing to marry her and give her a home.

But she knew about her illness, and her original family.

Her parents were already old, the debt-collecting younger brother at home was still young, it was said, the younger brother had a very nasty temper.

Her parents doted on him, he would surely become a disaster in the future.

"Why harm a good person?" Tuzi smiled, but the smile was very bitter.

"Ji Cheng is so good, young and handsome, where else in this world could you find such an excellent man."

"I can have a child with him, I'm already incredibly fortunate."

"Besides, I also met you."

Tuzi said that recently her body had recovered much better, morning sickness wasn't as severe, her appetite was good, so she came specifically to see me.

"I also wanted to give you a surprise, but instead, I got a fright." Tuzi said with a smile.

I took Tuzi out, we went shopping, watched movies, shopped, and drank milk tea.

Like years-old best friends.

33

I moved with Tuzi, moving to the Green Pear Small Courtyard area.

I was afraid Xu Lingchu would do something unbelievable again, harming Tuzi, and Tuzi's child.

During this time, under Ji Cheng's arrangement, Xu Lingchu entered the entertainment circle, first with variety shows, then began filming dramas.

She was beautiful, could act...

She caught on quickly.

Ji Cheng was right, Xu Lingchu was suited for the entertainment circle.

I thought, she had found her own path, and gradually, with broader horizons, she would also slowly let go of Ji Cheng.

But, I overestimated her after all.

Xu Lingchu quickly gained her own fans in the entertainment circle, and they were fucking brain-dead fans.

She used this brain-dead fan to play a prank that frightened Tuzi.

At this time, Tuzi's child was already over seven months old, after being frightened by that brain-dead fan, her heart stopped beating.

I rushed with people to send her to the hospital for emergency rescue.

In the end, she gave birth to a premature baby girl in the early winter season, but she, due to excessive fright, had a heart attack and never opened her eyes again.

Ji Cheng was very sad, and I was also very sad.

In fact, during this time, Tuzi's body had gradually recovered.

I took her for check-ups, and the doctors all said that with regular check-ups, she had great hope of giving birth safely.

But, heart disease, least of all can withstand fright.

That brain-dead fan, naturally, was doomed.

I suddenly had the idea of killing Xu Lingchu.

At Tuzi's funeral, her parents came with that brat in tow.

Indifferent like a stranger.

I couldn't help but ask them: "Aren't you sad at all?"

That woman was already over fifty, hadn't taken good care of herself, her eyes were cloudy, her hair graying.

She wore a half-new, half-old black dress.

The hem of the skirt was already frayed.

Not at all like the appearance of a teacher.

"A girl, sooner or later belongs to someone else's family!" She said.

As she lowered her head, she looked at the brat not far away, her gaze tender: "I have a son."

I nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

After everyone had left, Xu Lingchu came.

Holding a bouquet of flowers in her arms.

She placed the flowers before the tombstone, then looked up at me.

"He Xingwan, you still haven't left, why the false pretense, the person is already dead." She said.

I didn't want to talk to her, and I didn't understand, she had painstakingly caused this person's death, what was she doing here now?

"He Xingwan, when are you divorcing Ji Cheng?" Xu Lingchu suddenly said.

I was already preparing to leave.

Hearing her say this, I stopped and asked: "What if I don't divorce?"

"Then I will also kill you, just like I killed her." Xu Lingchu's eyes carried a hint of ruthlessness.

I didn't know what she had experienced in this past year.

I only discovered that under her glamorous appearance, that already necrotic heart had become even more insane.

"He Xingwan, Ji Cheng is mine, you women are not worthy of coveting him." She said coldly.

The early winter evening was already somewhat cold.

I thought seriously, then slowly said: "Xu Lingchu, recently I've been thinking about how to kill you."

"Whether to hire a mercenary from outside, or do it myself."

"But now, I've changed my mind."

I leaned against the stone steps, looking at Tuzi's tombstone, smiling lightly.

"I want you to live, but no matter how hard you try, you will never get Ji Cheng." I smiled.

At this moment, I felt I had also gone mad.

34

This game, when it started, I was like all the melon-eating spectators, calmly eating melons, calmly watching.

But, as I watched—the beautiful girl Tuzi died.

Leaving me a crying infant to care for.

And I, actually had thoughts of hatred, wanting to kill someone.

Even, personally killing someone.

Father was right, the seven emotions and six desires, all are bitter.

But, floating in the mortal world, how could I abandon love and release myself from sorrow?

Xu Lingchu pointed at me, laughing unrestrainedly: "He Xingwan, you just used despicable means to trick him into getting a marriage certificate with you, he doesn't love you at all."

"And I, I will have a status that sufficiently matches his, standing by his side."

"I will become a movie queen, become Mrs. Ji, admired by all."

Every word she said, I understood, but put together, it was truly too profound.

Like an unsolvable Olympic math problem.

Love was always a field I didn't understand.

I couldn't understand, for the sake of love, her best friend had a broken leg, two punks died.

The remaining two, one was sentenced to eight years, one was disabled.

And she, with her uterus removed and a kidney cut out, still couldn't let herself go, couldn't let her friends go.

The following early spring season, I was cyberbullied again.

I went to Yang City, together with my domestic elder brother.

So, photos of me and my elder brother were posted online.

The news that #Ji Group Executive CEO Ji Cheng's Wife Cheats with Unknown Man# directly shot to the top of the trending searches.

In these two years, even though Ji Cheng had kept a much lower profile.

But Ji Group Executive CEO Ji Cheng, having a star-like face, his popularity had always been very high.

There were rumors that he had some ambiguous relationship with entertainment circle newcomer Xu Lingchu.

After all, the past Ji Cheng had done a city full of fireworks, a global livestream proposal.

Later, although it was explained again and again that it was just new product promotion.

The matter was suppressed.

Now, Ji Cheng's backyard was on fire, his wife was cheating, ambiguous and obscure with a strange man.

Wealthy family conflicts, love triangles, everyone loved to watch.

In an instant, popularity was extremely high.

After two or three hours, it directly hit the trending searches, and even, all major portal site search bars were—Ji Cheng's wife cheats.

Xu Lingchu sent me a message: "He Xingwan, besides divorce, what else can you do?"

"I said, I would definitely make you and Ji Cheng divorce."

"He is mine, no one can snatch him away from me."

I knew that behind this matter, Xu Lingchu must have been pushing the waves, buying water armies不算, and also buying trending searches.

I didn't reply to her message.

Nor did I pay any more attention.

This kind of matter involved my elder brother, so I left it to him to handle.

Sure enough, by the afternoon, the trending search about #Ji Cheng's Wife Cheating# had been removed, and online, everything was calm.

Xu Lingchu was frozen out.

Her Weibo account was frozen, endorsements canceled, and collaborations also canceled.

A week later, my elder brother called me, inviting me to eat at a high-end club.

When I pushed open the private room door and entered, I found Xu Lingchu sitting dazed on a chair, like a wooden person.

Seeing me, Xu Lingchu wanted to rush over, but was held down by bodyguards.

"Why?" she asked me.

My elder brother pulled out a chair for me, helped me sit down, then said: "I also want to know why."

"Miss Xu, can you tell me, you didn't even know what relationship me and Wanwan have, how dare you casually release our photos, spread rumors that Wanwan was cheating?"

Xu Lingchu was Xu Lingchu, even in this situation, she knew no fear.

She once again started her insane, demonic words.

"What does it matter, I just want her to divorce Ji Cheng."

35

My elder brother shook his head and no longer spoke.

He poured himself a glass of red wine, asking me if I wanted some.

I shook my head, I didn't really like to drink.

Slowly eating, waiting until I was almost finished, my elder brother asked: "Wanwan, how should this person be dealt with?"

I glanced at Xu Lingchu, then said: "She's very beautiful, her proudest asset is her beauty, oh... Ji Cheng said she's a person born with knowledge."

"So, she's very narcissistic, believing she's the protagonist of this world."

"Believing that a person like me isn't worthy of Ji Cheng."

"She wants to achieve class mobility, become Ji Cheng's wife, take control of Ji Group."

"Even, pursue higher levels, develop."

"Perhaps, she doesn't love Ji Cheng, she just naively believes—that a person like her, is born to deserve the best."

When I said the words "born with knowledge," Xu Lingchu seemed stunned.

This was her secret.

But when Ji Cheng was preparing to play a love game with her, how could he not investigate everything about her?

My elder brother showed some interest, asking: "Born with knowledge, does she have some abilities?"

I shook my head and said: "After observing for two years, besides being a bit more brain-dead and insane than others, I haven't seen any special talents."

My elder brother smiled: "Then there's no need for her to exist."

I glanced at Xu Lingchu, then slowly said: "She's more beautiful than others, using this to stir up trouble, harming many people, why not deprive her of her beauty."

My elder brother nodded slightly, smiling gently.

As I walked out of the private room, I couldn't help but look back.

My elder brother's appearance was extremely handsome, I wondered in my heart, could it be that people born with knowledge were all favored by heaven, given faces that could overturn nations?

Half a month later, Xu Lingchu encountered an explosion while filming.

Everyone in the film crew was fine, only she was severely injured, not to mention losing a hand, her face was severely burned.

I went to the hospital specifically to see her.

She lay lifelessly on the bed, her eyes dim and lightless.

Seeing me, her lips moved and she said: "He Xingwan, you arranged the explosion?"

Her throat had also been damaged by smoke, her voice extremely hoarse.

"Specifically speaking, it was my elder brother's intention—that person you falsely accused of being my affair partner is my biological older brother." I said lightly.

"Like you, he's also a person born with knowledge." I said softly.

Xu Lingchu's originally dim eyes suddenly burst forth with a glimmer of hope.

I smiled, sat in the chair, thought for a moment, then continued: "Our family has several such people in each generation, my grandfather, my father, my two older brothers, and my younger aunt, all are."

"As for me, I'm completely useless."

Speaking of this, I couldn't help but smile sarcastically.

So, from the very beginning, I had great tolerance for her.

She tried to injure me, she cyberbullied me, when Tuzi was humiliated by her, I once had a wicked thought, wanting to wrap kindness with some viciousness.

But, in the end, I held back.

Until she offended that elder brother of mine.

Truly the fearless are ignorant, clearly, she had a bright future, why did she have to seek death?

"I came, just wanting to ask you, do you really love Ji Cheng that much?" I said.

Xu Lingchu didn't make a sound.

I prepared to leave.

"I don't know, I just feel... I must have him." She said, "He is everything I can grasp in this world, if I can't grasp him, I'd rather die."

36

That night, Xu Lingchu jumped from a building and committed suicide.

Her body was incomplete, her appearance destroyed, she had called Ji Cheng, but Ji Cheng had blacklisted her.

She was tired of living, with no attachments.

She was insane and crazy, naturally she wouldn't cling to life shamefully.

She died decisively, beyond recognition.

Auntie Zhang from the orphanage where she was, collected her remains, a lonely grave, without even a tombstone.

I bought a bouquet of white roses and placed them before her tombstone.

Half a year later, Ji Cheng had an accident while abroad negotiating a project.

It was said to be radiation injury.

After a week of transfers, he was escorted back to the country, although he had been checked layer by layer and his body didn't carry radiation that could harm others.

But, I still wore protective clothing, sitting before him.

He looked at me and smiled.

His smile was gentle, very much like when I first met him back then.

"Wanwan, have you ever loved me?" he suddenly asked.

I naturally did, once—I had also longed for a lifetime together.

"You were the marriage alliance partner I personally chose, I also once attempted to experience the romance of the human world."

"But—what did you really want in your heart?" I asked him.

He smiled, staggering with a cough.

"Do you love Xu Lingchu, or Tuzi, or, someone else?" I said.

I came out from the hospital room, took off the protective clothing, slumped in a chair, but tears flowed like rain.

Ji Cheng's attending doctor told me, at most, three to five days.

I knew, when that elder brother of mine made his move, it was always fast, ruthless, and precise.

Ji Cheng and Xu Lingchu had violated his great taboo, how could he tolerate it.

Had I ever loved him?

If I hadn't, why would I have accompanied him for so many years.

If I hadn't, why, among the vast sea of people, did I choose him?

That year of apricot blossoms and light rain, after returning from Jiangnan, I had tried, but he just smiled and said: "Miss He, it's just a marriage alliance, why take it seriously?"

Right, just a marriage alliance, why take it seriously?

And so, I restrained all my maidenly feelings, calmly, indifferently watching.

I knew, between him and Xu Lingchu, it was just a game, a performance put on for me to watch.

He hoped to arouse my competitive desire, my possessiveness.

To eat some vinegar, to be captivated by his charm, to fall.

But where in the world could there be such good fortune?

I wanted to talk about love, he put on his male chauvinism, saying to me: "Just a marriage alliance."

Afterward, he was unwilling about my indifference.

Believing I must fall in love with him.

Using other women to stimulate his legal wife?

How ridiculous?

How tragic!

Epilogue:

When Ji Cheng died, I was only twenty-five.

I had accompanied him for seven years, and in the end, it ended so hastily and carelessly.

I had originally thought, it was just a marriage alliance, with bumps and bruises, in the end, he would have his romantic dalliances outside.

I would hide in my cocoon, not seeing the world's romantic affairs, and finally grow old together in white hair.

Unexpectedly, he repeatedly courted death and died young.

And I, still young and beautiful, in the prime of my life.

I sent Tuzi's child abroad, to be raised by my younger aunt's side.

I also packed my luggage and headed south, toward the battlefield that belonged to me.

(End of Book)Complete Story